Hatch Enterprise has awarded £199,842 in small business grants to 57 underrepresented entrepreneurs across the UK through The Hatch Fund’s Spring 2026 round.
The grants, ranging from hundreds to thousands, help founders who have graduated from Hatch’s business support programmes to launch, develop and grow businesses that tackle real social challenges.
This round takes the total awarded through The Hatch Fund since 2022 to over £1.4 million.
At a glance: The Hatch Fund, Spring 2026
21 Launchpad grants
For ideation and early-stage founders who have been working towards turning a business idea into a viable business that earns an income.
26 Incubator grants
For small business owners who have been working to develop their business and increase their turnover and possibly their social impact too.
10 Accelerator and Deep Dive grants
For founders who have been working with us to take a step back from their business to think about their longer-term growth plans.
What is The Hatch Fund?
The Hatch Fund is a small business grants opportunity for entrepreneurs.
It awards microgrants to founders who face systemic barriers to accessing finance due to factors such as gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.
Each grant is paired with in-depth business support from Hatch, so founders have the knowledge and confidence to apply for, and utilise, their funding in ways that strengthen their business long term.
Who can apply for Hatch’s small business grants?
Hatch’s small business grants are open to founders who have completed and graduated from a Hatch programme. Each of our grant rounds is competitive, and the amount each entrepreneur is eligible for depends on the programme they have completed.
Occasionally, one-off grants are also offered to the wider Hatch alumni community.
If you’re not a member of our alumni community yet, the best first step is to join our waiting list.
You’ll be the first to hear when programmes open for application that are most suitable to you based on the information you provide.
How to get a small business grant through Hatch
Step one: Join the waiting list. We’ll email you when a programme suitable for you opens for applications.
Step two: Apply for a programme. When you receive an email that applications have opened, the next stage is to apply. When you apply, it will specify whether grant funding is available for that programme. Please note that both our programmes and grant rounds are competitive, meaning demand outweighs supply.
Step three: Complete and graduate from your programme. We see our programmes as an invaluable part of the Hatch experience. Plus, as a charity, the support you receive is completely free thanks to our partners.
You’ll receive expert-led sessions, mentoring and a small community of fellow founders to learn alongside.
Step four: Apply for your grant. If your programme identified funding attached, you will be eligible to apply for a small business grant from The Hatch Fund.
All eligible applicants receive application guidance with example answers, and Q&A sessions with our grant delivery partner, Groundwork.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about Hatch’s small business grants
Who is eligible for a Hatch small business grant?
Competitive grants are available to members of the Hatch community who have completed and graduated from a Hatch programme.
We offer two different types of grants, those attached to a specific programme, and occasional once-off grants which are available to the wider Hatch Graduate Community.
How much funding can I receive?
The amount of funding available will depend on the programme you graduate from.
In our Spring 2026 round, grants ranged from £700 to £5,000. Our later-stage programmes generally offer grants at the top end of this range.
Do I have to pitch to get a grant?
No. Grant applications are assessed on written answers only, unless you have submitted your application in an alternative format due to access needs.
The pitch at the end of your programme, at one of our Demo Days, is a separate opportunity to practice and get expert feedback.
When is the next small business grant round?
Grant rounds typically follow the programmes we run, and future funding depends on partner support. The best way to stay informed is to join our waiting list.
If you are already a member of our alumni community, we recommend keeping an eye on your emails for any upcoming grant rounds open to you.
For more FAQ’s about our small business grants, visit our grant FAQ page.
