JewelFund opens applications for fifth year

The Jewellers Academy has announced it has opened applications for its JewelFund for its fifth year, offering jewellers a £1,000 grant to help grow their jewellery business.

There are three £1,000 grants available to spend on a specific area of an applicant’s business, and successful candidates are not required to pay the loan back.

At least one of these grants will reportedly be awarded to a jeweller who identifies as Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic or from multiple races.

As well as the loan, successful applications will receive one-hour business coaching sessions with jewellery designer and entrepreneur, Jessica Rose, and a one year membership for Jewellers Academy.

Examples of what the grant can be used for include: jewellery tools or supplies, CAD work or outsourcing to create a new collection, a new website, rebranding, hiring staff or freelancers to help, stock, workspace rental, training and mentoring, updating packaging or point-of-sale, shows or events, IT equipment or furniture for a home office.

The JewelFund was set up by Rose. In 2008, she launched the London Jewellery School and reportedly grew it to over £500k turnover within a few years.

Rose said: “I love everything jewellery and business and having set up a jewellery business myself from scratch, I know how challenging it can be when you are low on cash or need a little extra to get you to the next stage. Which is why I have created JewelFund to help jewellers on their way to creating amazing jewellery businesses.”