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
Key Fund - Midlands and the North of England
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 5Grants and loans for social enterprises in the North and the Midlands. - 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
Better Business Finance - UK
Established · the whole UKFree, quick and easy access to a directory of approved finance suppliers for UK businesses. - 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. - 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
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. - 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
Business Enterprise fund - North East England
North East, Yorkshire and the Humber · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFinancial support for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Yorkshire and the North East. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Investment Fund - North of England
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North East, North West, Yorkshire and the HumberFinance to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North West, Yorkshire, the Humber and Tees Valley - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Finance For Enterprise
Established · regions: 9Finance 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. - 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
UK Export Finance
Established · the whole UKSupports access to loans and other trade finance facilities for businesses that sell internationally via government guarantees. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
The FSE Group
Trading 1–2 years, Established · London, South East, South West, Yorkshire and the HumberFSE offers a range of loans and equity finance for innovative growth companies. - 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.
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 →
—
a month
principal — interest — total —
—
The same amount under other programmes
| Programme | A month | Interest | Term |
|---|
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.
—
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.
Jobs & Business£2,000 for hiring a young apprentice: new payment for small employers starts 1 October
LifeWhat to watch this weekend: an evening on BBC One, the Netflix top 10, a festival from 7 October and theatre for £5
MarketsBusiness grants, loans and government support in the UK: where the start-up money is and what it costs