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.
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
Elmbridge Start Up Boost Fund
Not yet trading · South EastThe Elmbridge start-up boost helps start-ups with one off costs such as one-off marketing, purchasing of equipment or anything that would help a business to start operating in Elmbridge. - 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. - Free
Young Enterprise
Not yet trading · the whole UKYoung Enterprise offers initiatives for all ages from 4 to 25 to help start a business in the UK.
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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