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
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
North of Tyne Business Support Fund
Applications closedTrading 1–2 years, Established · North EastGrant funding opportunity for businesses in who need external expertise to help them to grow. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Sir James Knott Fund
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastFunding for charitable activity in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Hartlepool. - 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
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
Enterprise Capital Funds Programme
The scheme site does not openTrading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9Enterprise Capital Funds (ECFs) bring together private and public money to make investments in high growth, early stage, businesses. - Free
Business Durham
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastOffers advice and guidance to support the growth and development of County Durham businesses and acts as the business gateway to Durham County Council. - Free
Durham Business Growth
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastDurham Business Growth is a comprehensive Programme designed to elevate productivity and foster growth within businesses located in County Durham. - Free
FIRST North East
The scheme site does not openNorth EastA learning and development agency, empowering enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in collaboration with government, employers, education and community organisations. - 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. - 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. - Free
Carbon Trust
regions: 8Specialist support and resources to help businesses cut carbon emissions, save energy and work on new technologies. - Free
Able Futures
Open for applicationsTrading 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
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 →
—
a month
principal — interest — total —
—
The same amount under other programmes
| Programme | A month | Interest | Term |
|---|
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.
—
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
Jobs & Business£2,000 for hiring a young apprentice: new payment for small employers starts 1 October
LifeWhat to watch this weekend: an evening on BBC One, the Netflix top 10, a festival from 7 October and theatre for £5
MarketsBusiness grants, loans and government support in the UK: where the start-up money is and what it costs