UnLtd
You have an idea or are already making a difference and are looking for support to develop your social venture. We combine funding and support to help you get started or grow.
Funding
We combine funding and support to help you to get started or grow. Depending on your stage of development we can offer up to £18,000
Apply
How to apply for an Award
Read through all of the following steps to guide you in your application. We are committed to using our resources to drive change. At least 50% of our Awards will support social entrepreneurs who come from a disabled and/or Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.
| Application window opens | Application assessed | Application result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 2025 | Oct 2025 – Dec 2025 | week commencing 15 Dec 2025 |
| 1 Oct 2025 | Jan 2026 – Mar 2026 | week commencing 23 Mar 2026 |
| 6 Jan 2026 | Apr 2026 – Jun 2026 | week commencing 22 Jun 2026 |
We have introduced an application limit for each application window. Learn more about it here.
Social Entrepreneur
- We support individuals. This means that the application must be completed by the founder, the person behind the idea and in need of both our financial and non-financial support.
- We value lived experience. We believe that having a deep understanding of the challenges you want to tackle can make you a passionate and determined social entrepreneur.
- To get the most from our support, you should need the coaching and guidance our teams can offer to help you develop your social venture.
Social venture
- We will prioritise social ventures which are tackling inequality and focussing on the most marginalised communities and those with high levels of need.
- We want to support you to create long-lasting change for people, communities, or the planet so your social venture must have the potential to be financially sustainable, with potential for growth.
- If you are applying for a Starting Up Award, you might not have secured your first customers yet, but you will have done some research and will be confident in who will pay for your goods or services.
- If you are applying for a Scaling Up Award, your social venture will have been trading for over a year and will have earned a minimum of £18,000 in traded income (sales of goods or services, not grants or donations) in the last 12 months. There will be clear potential for you to grow your impact alongside your income.
- If you need a lot more money than we can offer, you should have a reasonable plan for how you will get it, or you will be unlikely to get our support.
Social entrepreneur
Eligible
- The founder and lead of the social venture.
- Are 16 years old or older.
- Has not previously received the same Award type for the same social venture.
- Living in the United Kingdom.
Not eligible
- Looking for funding for a one-off or short-term project where there is limited potential for long-term impact.
- Looking for funding to continue existing activities that have been running for over four years.
- Requests for support which are predominately for the individual to undertake academic qualifications or overseas travel.
- Individuals who plan to employ others to undertake most of the work on their behalf.
Social venture
Eligible
- Has the potential to be financially sustainable with our support.
- Can demonstrate a clear need for your idea or social venture.
- Is clearly driven by its social purpose.
- Needs both our financial and non-financial support to make it happen.
- Social ventures that have been trading for over a year must have earned a minimum of £18,000 in traded income (sales of goods or services, not grants or donations) in the last 12 months.
Not eligible
- Is predominantly focused on having an impact on people or places outside the UK.
- Has been incorporated for over four years at the time of application (Companies House or Charity Commission registration), including charities or organisations that have been incorporated for over four years which are setting up a social venture.
- Charities or organisations that are looking to set up a social venture as a subsidiary, unless the founder can demonstrate significant control of the social ventures finances and impact.
- Had a turnover of over £250,000 in its last financial year.
- Involves political, or religious campaigning.
- Involves activities outside of the law, against public policy or anything which encourages ethnic, religious, or commercial disharmony.
- Social ventures whose focus is predominantly on raising awareness of social issues.
