The Open University (OU), in collaboration with NatWest and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has relaunched the Open Business Creators Fund, a £50,000 initiative designed to support women in the early stages of launching their businesses through funding, mentorship, and access to learning resources.
The nationwide competition, announced through a video message by Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Chancellor of The Open University, will award individual grants of up to £2,500. The programme is backed by sponsorship from NatWest and aims to help women and those identifying as women aged 16 and over across the UK turn ideas into viable ventures.
“This is more than a competition – it’s a launchpad for women entrepreneurs,” said Chaitali Patel, Head of Prospects at The Open University. “With the support of our Validate platform, every applicant leaves with a stronger, clearer business concept and the confidence to take it forward.”
A distinctive element of the programme is its integration with the OU’s Validate business development platform, which all applicants are required to use as part of the entry process. The platform offers a step-by-step guide to building a business plan, from identifying customer needs and defining value propositions to analysing resources and developing a professional business portfolio.
Participants complete their Validate portfolio before submitting their competition entry. Even those who do not receive funding benefit from the process, gaining both entrepreneurial skills and a tangible business plan.
The initiative builds on the OU’s long-standing focus on inclusive access to education and entrepreneurship. It specifically seeks to remove barriers that often prevent women, people of colour, and individuals from low-income backgrounds from pursuing business creation.
Applications are open until midnight on Friday, 21 November 2025. To apply, entrants must complete and submit their Validate portfolio alongside the official entry form. The winners will be announced on 19 December 2025.
The fund aims to not only provide financial assistance but also build a supportive ecosystem for new founders. It connects participants with mentors and professional networks through NatWest’s Enterprise team and The Open University’s business community.
Patel added that the initiative reflects a commitment to widening participation in entrepreneurship: “Everyone should have the chance to turn an idea into a viable business — not just those with existing networks or resources. This fund is about levelling the playing field.”
The fund’s return comes amid a rise in women-led startups across the UK, though access to capital remains a major challenge. By combining NatWest’s business expertise with The Open University’s educational framework, the partners hope to create practical pathways for more women to enter and thrive in entrepreneurship.
