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
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
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk - England
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9Grants for the repair and conservation of historic buildings, monuments and landscapes. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKGrant contribution to pay towards upgrading business broadband to a high-speed capable connection. - 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. - 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
Growth Guarantee Scheme
Trading 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
Trading 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
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
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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