Entrepreneurs Fund Information
Are you a young person with a promising small business? Have you made your first sale but don’t know how to grow?
Our Founder, Sir Alec Reed, launched the Reed business in 1960 with just £75. More than 60 years later, Reed is the largest family‑run recruitment company in the world. His journey is just one of many that remind us of what’s possible when ambition meets opportunity.
Every week, inspiring stories of determination, innovation and entrepreneurial drive are shared on James Reed’s podcast ‘all about business’. The message is clear: the UK is full of talented founders ready to build something brilliant.
Inspired by Reed’s purpose – improving lives through work – the fund will award at least three young entrepreneurs £10,000, alongside expert mentorship, to help scale their business, overcome challenges and accelerate growth. If you’ve already taken the first steps, we want to help you go further.
- £10,000 funding to invest directly into your business
- Expert mentorship from experienced business leaders
- A national platform to showcase your idea and ambition
- Confidence and momentum to take your startup to the next stage
Nearly one million 18-to-24-year-olds are out of employment or training, this is simply not good enough. We need our young people to do meaningful work for their wellbeing and for the wellbeing of the economy. We need to encourage young people to set up shop and start their entrepreneurial journey now.
James Reed
Chairman and CEO, Reed
Who can apply
You must meet all the following criteria:
- Aged 18–24 at the point of application
- A UK resident with the right to work in the UK
- An existing business trading for less than three years
- At least one paying customer at the time of application
- A UK business bank account
- Able to meet the full terms outlined in the application pack
- Stage one – Initial application – Deadline: 7 July 2026
Submit a short summary of your business. - Stage two – Detailed application – August 2026
Shortlisted applicants provide further business details. - Final pitch – September 2026
Selected finalists will be invited to an in‑person pitch event in London, where the winner(s) will be announced.
Go to reed.com/entrepreneurs to register your interest, and you will receive the application form via email.
Applications close on 7 July 2026.
