ONLYWAY.NEWShttps://onlyway.news/en/business/05.10.2026
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.
What support you qualify for
- Grant · amount on GOV.UK
BIC Innovation Grant Sunderland
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastOffers grants of 40% contribution towards innovative projects valued between £5,000 and £25,000. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Brum Breathes Financial Incentives
Open for applicationsTrading 1–2 years, Established · West MidlandsFinancial incentives, designed to offer support to businesses who conduct commercial operations in Birmingham, towards replacing their Light Goods Vehicle and Heavy Duty Vehicle to meet required emission stand… - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Enterprise Grant Scheme - Bassetlaw
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · East MidlandsPotential grant for people looking to start a new business or businesses in their first 3 years of trading in Bassetlaw. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Forest of Dean District Council Business Start Up Grant
Closes 19.11.2026Trading 1–2 years · South WestFunding to be used towards a variety of business start up activates including: research and development, installing clean technologies, premises, equipment and product/service launch. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Great Ideas – York and North Yorkshire
Trading 1–2 years, Established · Yorkshire and the HumberA fully funded innovation support programme, with access to innovation grants of up to £60,000. - 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
Low Carbon Kent
South EastLow Carbon Kent is a network of businesses tackling and adapting to climate change. They aim to reduce costs by cutting emissions and promote the opportunities of the low carbon market and circular economy. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
North of Tyne Business Support Fund
Applications closedTrading 1–2 years, Established · North EastGrant funding opportunity for businesses in who need external expertise to help them to grow. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Northamptonshire Community Foundation
Closes 12.10.2026Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · East MidlandsPotential grant funding is available to community or voluntary groups in Northamptonshire. - 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
Sir James Knott Fund
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastFunding for charitable activity in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Hartlepool. - 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. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Stronger Communities Inspire Fund
Trading 1–2 years, Established · Yorkshire and the HumberResident groups or community organisations can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to help fund local projects and events. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Sunderland Business Support Fund
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastGrants are available to support projects costing between £3,000 and £6,000 (excluding VAT). The Business Support Fund can cover up to 40% of eligible business spend. - 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. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Productive Valley Fund
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · LondonLoans of between £50,000 and £400,000, for projects such as premises refurbishment, building works and equipment purchases that will lead to increased productivity, job creation and business growth. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Enterprise Capital Funds Programme
The scheme site does not openTrading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9Enterprise Capital Funds (ECFs) bring together private and public money to make investments in high growth, early stage, businesses. - 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. - Free
Able Futures
Open for applicationsTrading 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
Barnet Business Start-up Programme
London · 0 to 9, 10 to 249, 250 to 500 employeesThe programme offers one-to-one advice, mentoring, workshops and resources designed to help start up businesses succeed beyond their early stages, and support existing businesses with their growth plans. - Free
Buckinghamshire High Street Business Support Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · South EastA programme for Independent high street businesses in Buckinghamshire offering free resources, webinars, events and One to one business support. - Free
Business Durham
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastOffers advice and guidance to support the growth and development of County Durham businesses and acts as the business gateway to Durham County Council. - Free
Carbon Trust
regions: 8Specialist support and resources to help businesses cut carbon emissions, save energy and work on new technologies. - 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
Cool Ventures
Applications closedNot yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · South WestCool Ventures can supply business advice, workshops and a range of useful links E-learning tutorials via their website. - Free
Durham Business Growth
Trading 1–2 years, Established · North EastDurham Business Growth is a comprehensive Programme designed to elevate productivity and foster growth within businesses located in County Durham. - Free
E-Factor Business - The Business Hive
Yorkshire and the HumberIncluding free enterprise coaching and business advice for pre-start and established businesses. Also, offer events and workshops, and advertise tender opportunities on the website. They also run Business Hive… - Free
East Devon Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Support Service
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree training sessions for organizations either based in or working with communities in East Devon. - Free
FIRST North East
The scheme site does not openNorth EastA learning and development agency, empowering enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in collaboration with government, employers, education and community organisations. - Free
Get Funded - Understand finance and build investment readiness
Trading 1–2 years, Established · Yorkshire and the HumberGet Funded is a fully funded programme designed to help SMEs in York & North Yorkshire understand their funding options, strengthen financial planning, and prepare compelling applications that win investment. - Free
Get Started and Grow scheme Staffordshire
West Midlands · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree, expert-led support for Staffordshire businesses under 5 years old. - Free
HSE - Health and Safety Executive
regions: 9HSE is a national regulator and government department that supports employers, businesses and employees. - Free
Invest in - Fylde
North WestThe Invest in Fylde website showcases all there is to offer to businesses in Fylde. - Free
Launchpad - Barnsley
The scheme site does not openNot yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · Yorkshire and the HumberA programme of advice and events for people starting and growing a business. - Free
Local Women Local Enterprise
North East · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesWomen-only enterprise support services for women who are thinking about starting a business and women led businesses who need support to be better prepared to build a successful business. - Free
Peer Networks - Redbridge Council
Trading 1–2 years, Established · LondonPeer Networks is a programme for businesses that want to grow and develop their organisation for future success. - Free
Portsmouth PatLib Centre
South EastIntellectual Property support and guidance for Portsmouth businesses. - 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
Somerset Business Agency (SBA)
South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesSomerset Business Agency (SBA) provide advice, workshops and support to micro-businesses and new start-ups, as well as businesses looking to grow. - Free
Surrey-i (Local Information Portal)
South EastFree local information portal for businesses in Surrey. - Free
Sussex Innovation Centre (SINC)
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · South EastTailored support services, events and access to the resources of the University of Sussex to help with innovation projects. - Free
The Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS)
North East · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employees(NSBS) is a fully-funded service that delivers a range of business support services to ambitious innovators, creative thinkers and small and micro businesses across Northumberland.
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.
The whole catalogue Where this comes from Check a company Calculators
LatestAll news →
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
Jobs & Business£2,000 for hiring a young apprentice: new payment for small employers starts 1 OctoberLifeWhat to watch this weekend: an evening on BBC One, the Netflix top 10, a festival from 7 October and theatre for £5MarketsBusiness grants, loans and government support in the UK: where the start-up money is and what it costs