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
The Hive - North Somerset
South West · 0 to 9 employeesWorkspace with on-site business support in Weston-super-Mare. - 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
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
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
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
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
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
SWIG Finance
South West · 10 to 249 employeesLoans for new and growing SMEs in the South West of England - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
BCRS Business Loans
Open for applicationsTrading 1–2 years, Established · South West, West MidlandsLoans to help small and medium-sized businesses develop and grow. - 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
Big Issue Invest - UK
Established · the whole UKBig Issue Invest helps social enterprises and charities by providing loans and investments. - Free
Business advice, training and support services - North Somerset
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesInformation, advice, training and support for businesses based in North Somerset - 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 - Free
Small business grants and funding - Devon and Somerset
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesAdvice and support on funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Devon and Somerset. - 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 →
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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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