Business support
Britain has no single “start-up grant” — it has 166 separate schemes: grants, loans and equity. A grant is not repaid, a loan is, and a third of the schemes are tied to one county or town.
- Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Northamptonshire Community Foundation
Closes 04.12.2026Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · East MidlandsPotential grant funding is available to community or voluntary groups in Northamptonshire. - Free
Chamber Low Carbon - Lancashire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestChamber Low Carbon provides a range of 1-2-1 business support services specialising in energy, resource and water efficiency. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Made Smarter London
Trading 1–2 years, Established · LondonThe Made Smarter adoption programme aims to empower and support London's manufacturing businesses. The programme has a particular focus on adopting digital technology. - Free
Local Women Local Enterprise
North East · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesWomen-only enterprise support services for women who are thinking about starting a business and women led businesses who need support to be better prepared to build a successful business. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Momentum Music Fund
the whole UK · 0 to 9 employeesThe Momentum Music Fund offers grants of £5k-£15k for artists/bands to break through to the next level of their careers.
166 schemes in all: 54 grants, 39 loans, 111 with free training.
The largest amounts
- Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Better Business Finance - UK
Established · the whole UKFree, quick and easy access to a directory of approved finance suppliers for UK businesses. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Heritage Enterprise (HE) - UK
the whole UKFunding to help restore neglected historic buildings and sites and unlock their economic potential. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Innovate UK - grant funding, innovation loans and expert support
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKSupports innovative UK businesses to realise the potential of new technologies, develop ideas and make them a commercial success. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Equity and Loan fund in Greater Manchester
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North West£10m investment fund to support the growth of companies in the advanced manufacturing and materials sector in Greater Manchester. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Enterprise programme for young people - UK
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · the whole UKThe King's Trust helps young people aged 18 to 30 years who want to set up their own business in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Where to start
- Narrow it down. Pick your region and the type of support.
- Check the terms. Each scheme page says who qualifies and how much is on offer.
- Work out the repayment. For a loan, the calculator tab shows the monthly payment.
- Apply on GOV.UK. The application is in English and the operator decides.
Where this comes from
The catalogue comes from GOV.UK search and refreshes every morning, last on 17.10.2026. We take no money to list anything; the decision is made by whoever runs the scheme.
Loan calculator
The monthly repayment and the total interest on a loan. Worked out in your browser. The other calculators →
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The same amount under other programmes
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How this is worked out
On a reducing balance, the way Start Up Loans and banks do it. A “flat rate” in an advert means a real rate close to double: interest there is charged on the whole sum. Any arrangement fee is not included. Worked out in your browser.
Do you qualify for a Start Up Loan
The government start-up loan: £500–25,000 at 7.5% over up to five years, no security. It is a personal loan, not a company one — you are liable.
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What happens next
This checks the basic conditions, not the decision. Next come the business plan, the cash-flow forecast and your credit history. The scheme is run by the Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank.
The whole catalogue Where this comes from Check a company Calculators
