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
Financial and Funded Support – Nottingham Trent University
The scheme site does not openEast MidlandsA range of support for businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire - 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
Launchpad - Barnsley
The scheme site does not openNot yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · Yorkshire and the HumberA programme of advice and events for people starting and growing a business. - Free
Low Carbon Dorset
The scheme site does not openTrading 1–2 years, Established · South WestFree support to help SMEs and community groups in the Dorset Council area reduce their carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and install renewable energy measures
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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