ONLYWAY.NEWShttps://onlyway.news/en/business/04.10.2026
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
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
Key Fund - Midlands and the North of England
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 5 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesGrants and loans for social enterprises in the North and the Midlands.FinanceEquityGrantLoanTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Innovate UK Business Growth
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesExpert advice for businesses looking to commercialise new ideas and succeed in international marketsFinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk - England
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesGrants for the repair and conservation of historic buildings, monuments and landscapes.FinanceGrantTerms and application → - 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.FinanceEquityGrantLoanExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UK · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesGrant contribution to pay towards upgrading business broadband to a high-speed capable connection.FinanceGrantTerms 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
Horizon Europe funding
the whole UKFunding for research or innovation that's ground breaking, improves European research standards or responds to challenges like climate change or food security.FinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceGrantLoanExpertise and adviceTerms 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
Liverpool City Region Flexible Growth Fund
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249, 250 to 500 employeesProviding 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.LoanTerms and application → - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Finance For Enterprise
Established · regions: 9 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFinance 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.FinanceLoanTerms and application → - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Big Issue Invest - UK
Established · the whole UKBig Issue Invest helps social enterprises and charities by providing loans and investments.FinanceEquityLoanTerms 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
Growth Guarantee Scheme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UK · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesThe Growth Guarantee Scheme is a government-backed scheme designed to support access to finance for UK businesses as they look to invest and grow.FinanceLoanTerms and application → - 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.FinanceLoanExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Enterprise Capital Funds Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesEnterprise Capital Funds (ECFs) bring together private and public money to make investments in high growth, early stage, businesses.FinanceEquityTerms and application → - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Merchant Cash Advance - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UK · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFinance for SMEs in the UK with no fixed payments, fixed terms or security required. The advance is repaid as a percentage of future card sales.FinanceTerms 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
Access to finance - Greater Manchester and Lancashire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesAccess to finance is a scheme for businesses who need help raising finance for growth.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Business Continuity Forum - Manchester
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesIncreases awareness of business continuity management in Manchester's business and voluntary sector.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Chamber Low Carbon - Lancashire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestChamber Low Carbon provides a range of 1-2-1 business support services specialising in energy, resource and water efficiency.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Get Enterprising - Hertfordshire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestFully-funded specialist support to enable early stage businesses to grow. Offering free 1-2-1 advice, skills and support to scale up.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
Invest in - Manchester
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree support for businesses looking to expand or re-locate in Manchester.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
InvestSefton
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestAdvice, support and financial assistance for new businesses, existing businesses and inward investors in Sefton.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Two Zero - Lancashire
Established · North West · 10 to 249 employeesGrowth support for scale-up businessesExpertise 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
Able Futures
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesAble Futures is a funded service that helps employees, self-employed people and employers manage mental health at work.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
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
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKAdvice on good practice in employment and employment relations.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
CompeteFor contract service - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKFree support to help businesses compete for major public and private sector contractsExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Help to Grow: Management - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UK · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesTraining to help SME business leaders to increase productivity, seize investment opportunities and grow their business.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
WRAP environmental business advice - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UK · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesConfidential advice and support on environmental issues for all UK businessesExpertise 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
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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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