Four Key Grant Opportunities Supporting Women Entrepreneurs in 2026
Access to capital remains one of the most significant barriers facing women founders across the UK. While the wider funding landscape continues to evolve, several targeted grant programmes are actively helping to close the gap by providing non-dilutive funding and structured business support.
A recent funding overview highlights four key grant opportunities available to women entrepreneurs in 2026. These programmes offer a combination of financial backing, mentoring, and development support designed to help founders launch, validate and scale their businesses.
1. Female Founders Grant Competition (Northern Ireland)
This competition offers grants of up to £35,000 to women founders in Northern Ireland. The funding is designed to support early-stage idea development and business growth, helping founders move from concept to commercial traction.
The initiative reflects increasing regional efforts to stimulate female entrepreneurship and innovation-led enterprise.
2. Innovate UK – Women in Innovation Awards
The Women in Innovation Awards, delivered by Innovate UK, provide up to £75,000 in grant funding alongside personalised business support.
The programme is aimed at ambitious, innovation-driven female founders across the UK and offers not only financial support but also mentoring and networking opportunities. It remains one of the most established government-backed awards supporting women-led innovation businesses.
3. Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international entrepreneurship programme awarding grants of up to $100,000.
Although global in scope, UK-based founders are eligible to apply. Beyond financial awards, the programme provides leadership development, mentoring and access to an international network of entrepreneurs and investors.
Applications are expected to open between April and June 2026.
4. HATCH Enterprise
HATCH is an enterprise support organisation offering development programmes and funding opportunities for underrepresented founders, including women entrepreneurs.
Funding amounts and programme details vary depending on the specific initiative, but the organisation focuses on practical support, community building and sustainable growth.
Why This Matters
Grant funding remains a critical stepping stone within the broader female entrepreneurship ecosystem. Unlike equity investment, grants allow founders to retain ownership while building proof of concept, strengthening operations, and preparing for future growth capital.
While continued systemic progress is needed to close the UK’s gender funding gap, targeted initiatives such as these demonstrate meaningful momentum in supporting women-led businesses at different stages of their journey.
Source: https://startups.co.uk/funding/grants/business-grants-for-women/