# Funding for entrepreneurs

**Source**: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/
**Parent**: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/about/what-we-offer/

Are you a QMUL student or graduated less than three years ago? Do you have a business idea or have already started trading? Is your idea the next big thing?

#### Here is your opportunity to win up to £10,000 in equity-free awards.

If you have an idea for a business that you’d like to start, develop or grow we have [Try It](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/try-it-awards/) (up to £500), [Grow It](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/grow-it-awards/) (up to £3,000), [Launch it](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/launch-it-awards/) (up to £3,000) and [Build It](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/build-it-awards/) (up to £10,000) funding awards available.

[## Try It Awards

Have a business, side hustle, or social enterprise idea? Apply for up to £500 to test your idea.](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/try-it-awards/)

[## Launch It Awards

Got a side hustle or MVP ready? Apply for up to £3,000 to launch your validated product or service.](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/launch-it-awards/)

## How many awards are available?

We have about 20 Try It Awards and 10 Grow It Awards available across the Academic Year.

For the Build It award, depending on the amount of money asked we usually have between 1 and 3 awardees.

Last year we had 50 applications and we gave out money to 24 awardees.

## Who is eligible?

Current Queen Mary home students and recent graduates (up to 3 years after the end of their course) can apply for any of our awards.

International students who have Tier 4 (General) Student immigration permission are restricted from the Try It and Grow It awards as they are not permitted to be self-employed, but are eligible to apply via the Build It route as this award supports pre-trade prototype development.

## I have already received an Award, can I apply for another one?

Yes. You are still eligible to apply and receive an award if you already had one previously. However, we would be looking in your application form at the impact your previous award had on your business or social enterprise to assess the need for a second award.

## Does Queen Mary take some equity in return for the funding?

No. The funding is equity-free which means we don't take any shares of your business or social enterprise.

## Am I eligible to apply for Build It award even if I have not had a Try It award?

Yes. You can apply directly for a Build It award.

However, to win a Build It Award, you need to undertake significant market research to show that your product has commercial potential and offers an innovative solution to a market need.

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[Grow It](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/funding/grow-it-awards/) awards are sponsored by Santander Universities, which supports QMUL Enterprise through funding, mentoring, training, and internships.

To get a reminder about our funding round opening dates, register on our [Enterprise newsletter](http://eepurl.com/dJAFrM)