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
Business loans, grants and funding - Scotland
ScotlandFinder to help businesses based in Scotland find funding from private and public organisations. - 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. - 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
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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