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
- Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Better Business Finance - UK
The scheme site does not openEstablished · the whole UKFree, quick and easy access to a directory of approved finance suppliers for UK businesses. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
BIC Innovation Grant Sunderland
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastOffers grants of 40% contribution towards innovative projects valued between £5,000 and £25,000. - 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. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
South West Investment Fund (SWIF)
The scheme site does not openTrading 1–2 years, Established · South WestThe fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Sunderland Business Support Fund
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastGrants are available to support projects costing between £3,000 and £6,000 (excluding VAT). The Business Support Fund can cover up to 40% of eligible business spend. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative Recycled Fund - England
The scheme site does not openEstablished · regions: 9Loan fund for SMEs in the manufacturing supply chain who are looking for investment to grow and support job creation. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
ART Business Loans - West Midlands
Open for applicationsTrading 1–2 years, Established · West MidlandsLoans for new and existing small businesses to create and safeguard jobs in the West Midlands - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Business Enterprise fund - North East England
North East, Yorkshire and the Humber · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFinancial support for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Yorkshire and the North East. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Business Growth Loans - Sussex, Surrey, Suffolk, Kent, Essex, London, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire.
Open for applicationsEstablished · Eastern, London, South EastLet’s Do Business Finance can support businesses across the South and East of England to access finance of up to £250k. - 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
Finance For Enterprise
Established · regions: 9Finance for Enterprise provides loan funding across England. They offer an alternative source of finance ranging from £25,001 to £250,000 for businesses who are looking for additional capital or cashflow. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans
East MidlandsGovernment-funded loans for start-ups and businesses looking to grow across the East and South East Midlands. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Growth Guarantee Scheme
The scheme site does not openTrading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKThe Growth Guarantee Scheme is a government-backed scheme designed to support access to finance for UK businesses as they look to invest and grow. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Investment Fund - North of England
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North East, North West, Yorkshire and the HumberFinance to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North West, Yorkshire, the Humber and Tees Valley - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Liverpool City Region Flexible Growth Fund
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestProviding fee free, Interest subsidised loans up to £1m, this fund can provide up to 50% of eligible capital expenditure repayable over a maximum 5 year term. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Regional Growth Loan Scheme - East of England
Established · EasternLoans to finance growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the east of England.
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
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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.
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