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
Better Business Finance - UK
The scheme site does not openEstablished · the whole UKFree, quick and easy access to a directory of approved finance suppliers for UK businesses. - 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 - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) - UK
The scheme site does not openTrading 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
Heart Of Bucks Grants
The scheme site does not openSouth EastA range of grant funds are available from £300 - £5,000 for not-for-profit community charities and voluntary groups in Buckinghamshire. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk - England
The scheme site does not openTrading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9Grants for the repair and conservation of historic buildings, monuments and landscapes. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
South West Investment Fund (SWIF)
The scheme site does not openTrading 1–2 years, Established · South WestThe fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. - 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.
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
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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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