Seed Fund

Seed Fund Eligibility Criteria and Usage

• Applicants must be a student/graduate of the University of Huddersfield
• All applicants/members of the participating business must be at least 18 years of age.
• The business activity must show benefit to the West Yorkshire region.
• Be a business based in the UK if trading already.
• If you are not trading, you should have a minimum viable product (MVP) or a demonstrable gap in the market for your product.
• For all purchases, please provide justification as to why you have chosen your preferred supplier.
• The grant cannot be used for personal expenses.

This grant can be used to help you bring a product to market from a formed idea, help grow or scale an existing business, or purchase equipment that will help your business move to the next stage of its evolution.  Examples of this can include:

• Preparing to go to market.
• Have a product/service that could be disruptive and innovative, with the ability to scale.
• Have a tech or innovative idea that has a proven gap in the market, based on research that you have completed, where funding is required to take the idea to the next stage.
• Creating a prototype or bring a product to market.
• Need to buy a new piece of equipment that will allow you to meet additional demand, improve your business efficiencies, or expand into a new market.

Application process for the Seed Fund

Stage 1 – Expression of Interest

Submit the Alan Lewis Seed Fund Expression of Interest Form with up to 1,200 words on your business journey to date, the growth strategy, what the funds will be used for, spending and delivery timeline, R&D, Market research, and headline financials.

The closing date for submitting your Expression of Interest application is Friday 13 December 2024.

Please send your completed form to enterprise@hud.ac.uk

The Alan Lewis Seed Fund Guidance Notes can help with your application.

 

Stage 2 – Business Plan submission including financials and risk analysis

Successful applicants from Stage 1 will be invited to submit a full business plan and a 2-minute pre-recorded video pitching your idea by Friday 21 February 2025.

The business plans and video pitches will be sent to our independent panel of judges for marking.

 

Stage 3 – Awards Event

All successful applicants from Stage 2 will be invited to an awards event where the winners will be announced. 

 

We wish you good luck with your application!

 

Applications for Stage 1 are open until Friday 13 December 2024.

 

Information Sessions

Want to know more?

Got a question about the fund?

Come along to one of our online information sessions where a member of the Enterprise Team will be on hand to answer your questions:

• Wednesday 23 October, 10:00-10:45 - Click here to join
• Monday 4 November, 13:00-13:45 - Click here to join
• Thursday 21 November, 14:00-14:45 - Click here to join
• Tuesday 3  December, 13:00-13:45 - Click here to join

Applications are open until Friday 13 December 2024.