A significant new funding and support opportunity has opened for women (and those who identify as women) across the UK: the Open Business Creators Fund. Designed to help early-stage founders turn ideas into viable ventures, the programme combines micro-grants with practical learning and community support — a model that aligns closely with our mission at Invest in Women Hub to unlock capital, capability, and confidence for women founders.
What the fund offers
- Grants of up to £2,500 for idea-stage and early-stage ventures led by women in the UK.
- A structured journey using the Validate tool to build an investor-ready portfolio, so every applicant benefits — funded or not.
- A programme timeline that opens in mid-October with applications closing at midnight on 21 November 2025, and winners announced by 19 December 2025.
Learning and support
Beyond funding, applicants gain access to a focused skills pathway. A short webinar series explores confidence, capabilities, and connections, with speakers sharing practical insights on customer discovery, business modelling, and early go-to-market. Portfolios are reviewed by a judging panel and constructive feedback is shared to help founders progress.
Who should apply
- Women founders (or those who identify as women), 16+, based in the UK.
- Individuals with a strong idea or a young business, including social enterprises.
- Applicants willing to engage with the Validate process, attend webinars, and refine their concept with feedback.
Why this matters
Early-stage women founders often face a double gap: access to capital and access to structured know-how. This fund addresses both. By pairing small but catalytic grants with learning and community, it strengthens the pipeline of women-led businesses ready to grow, attract follow-on support, and create jobs. It’s exactly the kind of practical intervention we champion at the Invest in Women Hub — where targeted capital meets capability-building to accelerate outcomes for female founders.
Source: The Open University — Open Business Creators Fund.