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
Brum Breathes Financial Incentives
Open for applicationsTrading 1–2 years, Established · West MidlandsFinancial incentives, designed to offer support to businesses who conduct commercial operations in Birmingham, towards replacing their Light Goods Vehicle and Heavy Duty Vehicle to meet required emission stand… - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Non-CO2 Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKFunding for research and technology development to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive positions in civil aerospace. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) SME Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKOffers funding for civil aerospace research and technology development in the UK. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Strategic Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKFunding for research and technology development to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive positions in civil aerospace. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Horizon Europe funding
Open for applicationsthe whole UKFunding for research or innovation that's ground breaking, improves European research standards or responds to challenges like climate change or food security. - 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. - Free
Get Started and Grow scheme Staffordshire
West Midlands · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree, expert-led support for Staffordshire businesses under 5 years old. - 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 →
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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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