The Social Innovation Challenge Fund

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

Susan Aitken - Leader of Glasgow City Council

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 align with the aims and objectives of the fund and;

are operating within Glasgow, or
seeking to operate in Glasgow and can demonstrably show an understanding of the Glasgow business eco-system.

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.

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 were prepared for the fund launching, an initial online information session was held on Thursday 5th December 2024, from 11:00 to 12:00.

Additional sessions were be held on Thursday 12th of December 2024, from 15:00 to 16:00 and on Thursday 19th of December 2024, 11:00 to 12:00.

These sessions covered:

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

If you were unable to attend any of these sessions, you can view our presentation slides here.

The Social Innovation Challenge Fund - Information Sessions (PDF, 2 MB)

Further Enquiries:

If you have any other queries in relation to the fund, please contact the GCC Business Growth Team via email at businesssupport@glasgow.gov.uk.

Expression of Interest Process

Please note that our "Expressions of Interest" period has now closed, as of 1pm 6th of January 2025.

If you have any queries regarding this aspect of the process, please contact GCC Business Growth Team via businesssupport@drs.glasgow.gov.uk

Stage Two Process

Sucessful Expression of Interest applicants can now apply for Stage Two of the process by submitting the application form.

Applicants must ensure their application, along with supporting documentation, is submitted by 1pm Wednesday, 12th of February 2025.

You can access Stage Two guidance documentation and the relevant Budget Template in the "Related Content" section at the bottom of this page.

The GCC Business Support Team can be contacted at businesssupport@glasgow.go.uk. We are happy to explain any aspect of the Social Innovation Challenge Fund Stage 2 Application Form or the process.

If you have additional accessibility needs, please contact the GCC Business Support Team for support.

Early engagement is welcomed to allow for collaboration within the application period. Funding awards will be subject to Terms and Conditions set out in an individual grant award letter.

Unacceptable Actions Policy

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