The Social Innovation Challenge Fund

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The Social Innovation Challenge Fund aims to help and support those from underrepresented groups who face extra challenges in becoming successful entrepreneurs.

How It Works

Organisations are invited to create and run business support programmes for groups like women and minority ethnic community entrepreneurs. They can offer direct support or guide these groups to existing public services they may not typically use or even be aware of.

The fund will consider applications from programs that connect and support new entrepreneurs and early-stage startups in Glasgow. However, the fund does not provide direct financial support for individual businesses to grow.

What are the objectives of the Challenge Fund?

The main goal of the Social Innovation Challenge Fund is to help and support organisations to develop new services (or expand existing ones) that:

• Build skills
• Encourage the sharing of ideas and promote collaboration.
• Offer expert advice
• Increase innovative thinking

The fund will focus on filling the gaps in Glasgow's existing startup support system, not duplicating what is already available.

Who can apply for the fund?

The fund is open to a range of organisations, including but not limited to;

• Organisations with experience supporting entrepreneurs—These can be groups already working with underrepresented communities to help people start or grow businesses or social enterprises
• Established organisations launching new projects—Organisations interested in creating new initiatives that support pre-start or early-stage startups, especially those that will foster innovation and build connections between business support services and underrepresented groups.
• Third Sector organisations and Social Enterprises—Groups focused on encouraging entrepreneurship and startup development within underrepresented communities.

Eligibility

The fund is open to applications from organisations that aling with the aims and objectives of the fund and are operating within Glasgow.

Eligible applicants include:

Private or Third Sector Organisations—Groups in these sectors can apply if they are looking to develop or expand projects that meet the fund's objectives.

Additional Requirements:

All applicants must pay the Real Living Wage to any staff and contractors involved in the project.

What kind of applications will be considered?

The fund is seeking applications that address one or more of these four key themes:

1. Encouraging New Entrepreneurial Engagement

• Projects that engage underrepresented groups in Glasgow and help them explore entrepreneurship.

2. Positioning Glasgow as a Startup-Friendly City

• Initiatives that reduce barriers and help make Glasgow a more accessible and attractive place to start a business.

3. Supporting Networks for Underrepresented Communities

• Programs that develop or promote networks, formal or informal, that support businesses led by Minority Ethnic or other underrepresented groups.

4. Promoting Collaborative Business Support Services

• Efforts that highlight and connect entrepreneurs with Glasgow City Council's business support services and those offered by partner organizations, promoting a team-based approach.

Applications should align with these themes and aim to address gaps in support for underrepresented communities.

How much funding is available?

A total of £250,000 is available for projects running from April 2025 through the end of March 2026.

• Typical Grant Amount: Applications around £50,000 are preferred, but other amounts will be considered.
• Funding Limits: Minimum application amount is £30,000; maximum is £100,000.

Important Note: All project activities must be completed, and all costs incurred by March 31, 2026.

Information Sessions

To ensure organisations are prepared for the fund launching, online information sessions will be held in November 2024.  The sessions will cover:

• Background information on the Social Innovation Challenge Fund
• Goals for the 2025/26 funding cycle.
• Key theme for eligible applications
•  Eligibility criteria and who can apply for the fund
• Application process & timeline

How to Register:

If you would like to receive an invite to attend one of the information sessions please register your details here.

Further Enquiries:

If you have any other queries in relation to the fund, please contact the GCC Business Growth Team via the enquiry tab at the top of this page or via email at businesssupport@glasgow.gov.uk.