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
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 Bedfordshire - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Business advice and training - East of England and London
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · Eastern, LondonAdvice, workshops and loans for those looking to start a business and businesses trading less than 2 years in Norfolk, Suffolk and London. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Innovate UK Business Growth
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9Expert advice for businesses looking to commercialise new ideas and succeed in international markets - 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
Funding and advice for space services - UK
Established · the whole UKFunding, technical and business expertise, networks and partnerships for businesses who are looking to develop a space-based service. - 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
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. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
UK Export Finance
Established · the whole UKSupports access to loans and other trade finance facilities for businesses that sell internationally via government guarantees. - 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. - 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. - 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 project - 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. - Free
Kick Off in Business – business start-up and self employment online courses
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · regions: 6A free-to-access short online programme to help you start a business or become self-employed in England. - Free
Business advice, start-up services and business support - Essex
Eastern1:1 advice, signposting, start-up services, training and premises. - Free
Scale Up New Anglia
Trading 1–2 years, Established · EasternA support programme for ambitious small businesses with potential for high growth in Norfolk and Suffolk - 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. - Free
Able Futures
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9Able Futures is a funded service that helps employees, self-employed people and employers manage mental health at work. - Free
HSE - Health and Safety Executive
regions: 9HSE is a national regulator and government department that supports employers, businesses and employees. - 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. - Free
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKAdvice on good practice in employment and employment relations. - Free
CompeteFor contract service - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKFree support to help businesses compete for major public and private sector contracts - Free
Help to Grow: Management - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKTraining to help SME business leaders to increase productivity, seize investment opportunities and grow their business. - Free
WRAP environmental business advice - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKConfidential advice and support on environmental issues for all UK businesses - 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.
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.
Jobs & Business£2,000 for hiring a young apprentice: new payment for small employers starts 1 October
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MarketsBusiness grants, loans and government support in the UK: where the start-up money is and what it costs