We Won a Grant — and Honestly, It Means More Than Funding
We’ve got some news.
Amata Storybooks has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2025 Open Business Creators Fund for Women in Business, delivered by The Open University and supported by NatWest.
Out of over 500 women founders across the UK, we’re one of the businesses chosen for funding and support.
And yes — we’re proud. But more than that, we’re grateful.
Because this isn’t just about money. It’s about belief.
Amata Storybooks started from a simple but important idea:
Children deserve stories that actually see them.
Not just as an afterthought. Not as a “diversity add-on”. But at the centre — curious, imaginative, and full of possibility.
We’re building a digital ecosystem of inclusive, interactive storybooks, animations, and characters designed to make learning feel like discovery.
Because when a child feels seen, they don’t just read.
They engage.
They imagine.
They grow.
Being recognised by The Open University through this fund feels like validation of that vision. This programme exists to support women building businesses with real social impact — especially at the early stages, when things are often uncertain, messy, and a bit chaotic (if we’re being honest).
So to be selected, supported, and backed at this stage?
It matters.
But let’s keep it real.
We’re still building.
Still testing.
Still refining.
Still figuring things out in real time.
This grant doesn’t mean we’ve “made it”.
It means we’ve been given fuel to keep going — and a responsibility to build something that actually delivers.
What happens next?
We’ll be using this support to continue developing the Amata Storybooks experience — expanding our content, refining how children interact with stories, and making sure what we create is not just engaging, but meaningful.
We’re also now part of the NatWest Accelerator community, which gives us access to a network of founders, resources, and guidance as we grow.
To everyone who has supported, encouraged, or even just listened to the idea in its early stages — thank you.
And to the kids we’re building this for:
We’re just getting started.
If you want to follow the journey, stay close.
Amata Storybooks isn’t just about reading.
It’s about reimagining how children learn, see themselves, and explore the world.
We’re incredibly proud to be recognised alongside other impactful businesses across the UK.