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
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
Business loans, grants and funding - Scotland
ScotlandFinder to help businesses based in Scotland find funding from private and public organisations.FinanceGrantLoanTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Central Bedfordshire Council Start-up Support Programme
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · EasternA programme offering grants, free 1-2-1 business advice and skills training to anyone thinking of starting a business in Central BedfordshireGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Elmbridge Start Up Boost Fund
Not yet trading · South East · 0 to 9 employeesThe Elmbridge start-up boost helps start-ups with one off costs such as one-off marketing, purchasing of equipment or anything that would help a business to start operating in Elmbridge.FinanceGrantTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Enterprise Grant Scheme - Bassetlaw
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · East Midlands · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesPotential grant for people looking to start a new business or businesses in their first 3 years of trading in Bassetlaw.GrantTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Financial and Funded Support – Nottingham Trent University
East MidlandsA range of support for businesses in Nottinghamshire and DerbyshireFinanceGrantExpertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Heart Of Bucks Grants
South EastA range of grant funds are available from £300 - £5,000 for not-for-profit community charities and voluntary groups in Buckinghamshire.FinanceGrantLoanTerms and application → - 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.FinanceGrantTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Invest in - Nottingham
East MidlandsSupport for businesses looking to relocate or expand in the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire area.FinanceEquityGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Low Carbon Kent
South EastLow Carbon Kent is a network of businesses tackling and adapting to climate change. They aim to reduce costs by cutting emissions and promote the opportunities of the low carbon market and circular economy.FinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Northern Ireland Business Support Finder
Northern IrelandA searchable database that can help you find publicly-funded sources of business assistance that you may be eligible to apply for.FinanceEquityGrantLoanExpertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Pendle Town Centre Premises Improvement Grants
North WestGrants of up to £3,000 (50% of costs) for shop front improvements across Pendle Town Centres are available. Any businesses, new or existing within a Pendle Town Centre could be eligible for funding.GrantTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
PNE Enterprise - business support service - North East England
North East · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesMentoring, start-up business courses and support schemes for businesses based in the North East of EnglandFinanceGrantLoanExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceLoanTerms and application → - 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.FinanceLoanExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceLoanTerms and application → - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
GC Business Finance - North West England
North West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesStart-up loans and equity investment for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) based in Greater Manchester and the North West.FinanceEquityLoanExpertise 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 → - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
SWIG Finance
South West · 10 to 249 employeesLoans for new and growing SMEs in the South West of EnglandLoanTerms and application → - Free
Business advice, training and support services - North Somerset
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesInformation, advice, training and support for businesses based in North SomersetExpertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Kick Off in Business – business start-up and self employment online courses
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · regions: 6 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesA free-to-access short online programme to help you start a business or become self-employed in England.Expertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Wenta Action Zero Gold Membership - Hertsmere
EasternFully-funded specialist Net Zero support for businesses with ambitions to reach net zero. Offering free 1-2-1 advice, skills and support.Expertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Wenta Action Zero Gold Membership - Stevenage
EasternFully-funded Net Zero support for businesses, aimed at reducing Co2 emissions. Free 1-2-1 advice, support & training towards net zero.Expertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Wenta Action Zero Gold Membership - Watford
EasternFully-funded Net Zero support, 1-2-1 advice and training for businesses, aimed at reducing Co2 emissions as part of the Watford De-carbonisation projectExpertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Wenta Action Zero Gold Membership - Welwyn Hatfield
EasternFully-funded Net Zero support for businesses, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. Free 1-2-1 advice, training and carbon footprinting.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
Business advice, start-up services and business support - Essex
Eastern1:1 advice, signposting, start-up services, training and premises.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Business and Intellectual Property Centre - British Library London
Eastern, London, South EastAdvice, databases, publications and workshops for business owners, innovators and entrepreneurs who want to grow.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Business start-up support - North Tyneside
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · North East · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree start-up and ongoing support for businesses in North TynesideExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Carbon Trust
regions: 8Specialist support and resources to help businesses cut carbon emissions, save energy and work on new technologies.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Cool Ventures
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesCool Ventures can supply business advice, workshops and a range of useful links E-learning tutorials via their website.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
E-Factor Business - The Business Hive
Yorkshire and the HumberIncluding free enterprise coaching and business advice for pre-start and established businesses. Also, offer events and workshops, and advertise tender opportunities on the website. They also run Business Hive Club (membership charge applies) and a premises search facility.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
East Devon Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Support Service
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree training sessions for organizations either based in or working with communities in East Devon.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
FIRST North East
North EastA learning and development agency, empowering enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in collaboration with government, employers, education and community organisations.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Get Started and Grow scheme Staffordshire
West Midlands · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree, expert-led support for Staffordshire businesses under 5 years old.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
HSE - Health and Safety Executive
regions: 9HSE is a national regulator and government department that supports employers, businesses and employees.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Invest in - Fylde
North WestThe Invest in Fylde website showcases all there is to offer to businesses in Fylde.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Launchpad - Barnsley
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · Yorkshire and the Humber · 0 to 9 employeesA programme of advice and events for people starting and growing a business.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
London Business Partnership - Property Advice Service
London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesA programme to help businesses overcome the challenges of renting commercial propertyExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Portsmouth PatLib Centre
South EastIntellectual Property support and guidance for Portsmouth businesses.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Self-employed support - Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesBusiness advice and subsidised training for businesses in Kensington and Chelsea.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Shaw Trust
regions: 9Shaw Trust is a national charity that supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Small business grants and funding - Devon and Somerset
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesAdvice and support on funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Devon and Somerset.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre - London
LondonInformation, seminars and workshops to help start-up and growing businesses.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Somerset Business Agency (SBA)
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesSomerset Business Agency (SBA) provide advice, workshops and support to micro-businesses and new start-ups, as well as businesses looking to grow.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Surrey-i (Local Information Portal)
South EastFree local information portal for businesses in Surrey.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Sussex Innovation Centre (SINC)
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · South East · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesTailored support services, events and access to the resources of the University of Sussex to help with innovation projects.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
The Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS)
North East · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employees(NSBS) is a fully-funded service that delivers a range of business support services to ambitious innovators, creative thinkers and small and micro businesses across Northumberland.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Young Enterprise
Not yet trading · the whole UKYoung Enterprise offers initiatives for all ages from 4 to 25 to help start a business in the UK.Expertise and adviceTerms and application →
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.
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