
Business grants for women
Getting a grant is a challenge for many startups. But research from Women in UK Venture Capital has shown that it’s significantly harder to access if you’re a female startup founder. That’s why it’s important that ‘femtrepreneurs’ are clued up on the quick access routes, and organisations, who are more likely to give grants to female SME founders.Gender bias bars women from easy access to grants

The best business grants available for women
We’ve highlighted some of the best business grants for women and what makes them suitable for your business.For British businesses with a government bent
Women in Innovation Awards
Funded by: The British GovernmentAppeals to: British based businesses that are at least one year old with an interest in AI, societal?impact, and eco-aware business.
Deadline: 3 October 2018 This government-run?initiative offers funds to eight women run businesses a year.?The purpose?of the award is for the recipient?to help?solve?the government?s ?Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges?, including stimulating the marriage of artificial intelligence and data, aiding our?ageing?society, clean growth, and improving the future of mobility. The grant includes bespoke mentoring and coaching sessions, business support, and a 50,000 funding cash injection to your business.
For?international actors and gender advocates
Global Fund for Women
Appeals to: Female or trans run startups advocating for gender and human rights cohesion in their communities.Deadline: Ongoing This flexible funding programme not only offers grant?options on a rolling basis, but?it’s also available across most regions in the world (only excluding the US). The funding structure allows for flexibility in terms of a startups funding needs, as the programme is happy to cover a startup’s micro-funding requirements such as travel or event expenses, to more significant financing objectives, such as supporting the implementation of educational programmes.
Look ahead to…
Whilst the deadlines for the below grants have passed, both programmes offer substantial funding options and applicant flexibility that should make them a shortlist on your grant option list for next year.For SME candidates who want to develop their pitching first
AllBright Collective
Funded by: Associated angel investorsAppeals to: Early stage female-led businesses across the industries. The AllBright Collective are known to run regular pitching events. This is where a select number of female applicants are invited to pitch their business to a panel of investors and business leaders associated with the network. Founders will leave with constructive feedback, new connections and possibly even an offer of funding. The network also offers ‘pitching’ workshops enabling female-led SMEs to get their business pitch ship-shape and ready for the?hard-sell?if needed.
For European candidates running tech-impact businesses

Women Who Tech
Appeals to: Europe based tech startups trying to forge societal impact whether for people, businesses or the planet. Considering the diplomatic changes facing European institutions such as the EU, along with?its capacity to fund?organisations,?the existence of euro-focused funding operations are more important to SMEs and female-led concerns than ever before. Up to ?45,600 is awarded to the winner, along with one-on-one mentoring from business investors.For computing and tech enthusiasts with a vision for a business
Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology
Appeals to: Female entrepreneurs aged 18 or over, already working or with an interest in working in the computing industry. Both grants offer flexibility for candidates, in that you don’t necessarily need to have your startup in existence in order to apply. The Abie Awards invite women working in the tech industry as well as those who want to empower others to work in the sector. Most of the awards include cash prizes up to ?9,000. The Pass It On awards programme also aims to get more women into tech, and especially the computing industry. They invite women who want to fund projects to make this happen.Share this story