Business support
Britain has no single “start-up grant” — it has 129 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.
What support you qualify for
For example, in London
- Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Business advice and training - East of England and London
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · Eastern, London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesAdvice, workshops and loans for those looking to start a business and businesses trading less than 2 years in Norfolk, Suffolk and London.FinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Made Smarter London
Trading 1–2 years, Established · London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employees · ManufacturingThe Made Smarter adoption programme aims to empower and support London's manufacturing businesses. The programme has a particular focus on adopting digital technology.GrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Productive Valley Fund
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesLoans of between £50,000 and £400,000, for projects such as premises refurbishment, building works and equipment purchases that will lead to increased productivity, job creation and business growth.FinanceLoanExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Fit To Bid
Trading 1–2 years, Established · London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFully-funded workshops and 1:1 advice to help businesses successfully bid for contracts with Tier 1 suppliers.Expertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Barking Enterprise Centres - London
London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree support, help to access low-cost flexible workspace for new and existing small or medium businesses in Barking and Dagenham.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Barnet Business Start-up Programme
London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249, 250 to 500 employeesThe programme offers one-to-one advice, mentoring, workshops and resources designed to help start up businesses succeed beyond their early stages, and support existing businesses with their growth plans.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
E-Business Support Programme – Greenwich and Bexley
Trading 1–2 years, Established · London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesTailored one to one advice and training for businesses in the London Boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley to develop and grow online.Expertise and adviceTerms and application →
129 schemes in all: 45 grants, 34 loans, 83 with free training.
Where this comes from
The catalogue comes from GOV.UK search and refreshes every morning, last on 04.10.2026. 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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a month
principal — interest — total —
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The same amount under other programmes
| Programme | A month | Interest | Term |
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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.