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.

Trading 1–2 years North West Science and technology clear all

What support you qualify for

Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Pendle Town Centre Premises Improvement Grants
North WestGrants of up to £3,000 (50% of costs) for shop front improvements across Pendle Town Centres are available. Any businesses, new or existing within a Pendle Town Centre could be eligible for funding.
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
DRIVE35 Funding Programme
the whole UK · Manufacturing, Science and technologyCapital and R&D funding for the UK automotive industry in the design, development and manufacturing of zero-emission vehicles and their supply chain.
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
GC Business Finance - North West England
North West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesStart-up loans and equity investment for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) based in Greater Manchester and the North West.
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
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
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
Access to finance - Greater Manchester and Lancashire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestAccess to finance is a scheme for businesses who need help raising finance for growth.
Free
Business Continuity Forum - Manchester
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestIncreases awareness of business continuity management in Manchester's business and voluntary sector.
Free
Chamber Low Carbon - Lancashire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestChamber Low Carbon provides a range of 1-2-1 business support services specialising in energy, resource and water efficiency.
Free
Get Enterprising - Hertfordshire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestFully-funded specialist support to enable early stage businesses to grow. Offering free 1-2-1 advice, skills and support to scale up.
Free
Invest in - Fylde
North WestThe Invest in Fylde website showcases all there is to offer to businesses in Fylde.
Free
Invest in - Manchester
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestFree support for businesses looking to expand or re-locate in Manchester.
Free
InvestSefton
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North WestAdvice, support and financial assistance for new businesses, existing businesses and inward investors in Sefton.
Free
Carbon Trust
regions: 8Specialist support and resources to help businesses cut carbon emissions, save energy and work on new technologies.
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 →

Amount £ Term mo Rate %

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a month

principal — interest — total —

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Margin %

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.