Find out how we can financially support you to launch and grow your business or social enterprise idea.
Funding opportunities
Take a look at some of the funding and learning initiatives we offer below.
‘Be Curious’ workshops
Get ready to submit an application for any of our funding opportunities.
The ‘Be Curious’ workshops are brand new and launched in Autumn 2024. The team will guide you through what entrepreneurship at Sussex looks like and how to get involved in each opportunity. We’ll do this via workshops that will focus on self-development whilst also supporting you to be curious about your future and the value of learning about entrepreneurship whether you start your own business, go freelance or work within a company.
By the end of the autumn term ‘Be Curious’ workshops you’ll be ready to enter any of our funding initiatives including the opportunity to pitch for up to £10,000 worth of startup funding and support through our Startup Sussex competition.
Want to find out more about our 'Be Curious' workshops? If you are a current student, you will be able to enrol on our online entrepreneurship module on Canvas where you can access the slides and recordings from the 'Be Curious' sessions. If you are a graduate, please email entrepreneurship@sussex.ac.uk to request the material.
The 'Be Curious' workshops will return in Autumn 2025.
Big Ideas Contest
The University of Sussex has partnered with UC Berkeley to bring Big Ideas to the UK. This well-established and highly-respected student startup initiative supports those who have big ideas for a better world. Contest categories include global health, food and agriculture, arts and social change, education and more.
Each year one Sussex student is selected to travel to California and pitch their idea at a Grand Final, with a chance to win £10,000 launch funding. Selection takes place at the end of autumn term, where applicants are required to submit a short proposal. The Ideas Lab workshop programme helps students prepare for entering.
Applications are now open.
Elevate Grant
The Elevate Grant exists to support trading entrepreneurs at Sussex, or those who can demonstrate they have made significant progress developing their business.
If you are a current student or recent graduate (within 3 years) and are operating an active business, or can show evidence of progress developing your startup, you can apply for a maximum of £2,000 funding to accelerate your business's success.
You will need to answer a series of questions relating to both your entrepreneurial qualities and your business progress so far.
The Elevate Grant is funded by a range of university donors including Santander Universities.
The Elevate Grant will open for applications again in 2025.
Startup Sussex
Startup Sussex is the University’s long-running ideas competition for students and recent graduates. It has a long history of supporting new founders who have gone on to success and media acclaim. Past winners include Darren Tenkorang of TRIM-IT and Lucy Hughes of MarinaTex.
Startup Sussex will return in Spring 2025.
Elevate Grant (Ben Miller Award)
The Elevate Grant (Ben Miller Award) is available each summer to support a University of Sussex product design student or recent graduate with the development of their ideas and career. This Award will return in Summer 2025.
Accelerator
During June, the University of Sussex Accelerator offers up to 30 new ventures the chance to access specialist workshops, expert advice and intern support to grow. Participants have normally engaged in other initiatives, such as Startup Sussex, prior to selection. As well as the opportunity to work with a student intern, the accelerator provides a small stipend and leads to an offer of a further 12 month incubator package.
The Accelerator will return in Summer 2025.
If you are an international student you cannot engage in business activity while on a student visa. You can still talk to us for advice about your ideas and options and take part in workshops and events, as well as some competitions. Find out more about what you can do after graduation in the UK.