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
Made Smarter South West of England
Trading 1–2 years, Established · South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employees · ManufacturingSupport and potential grants to help manufacturing SMEs adopt Industrial Digital Technologies (IDT) to enable their development and growth.FinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
The Hive - North Somerset
South West · 0 to 9 employeesWorkspace with on-site business support in Weston-super-Mare.FinanceEquityGrantLoanExpertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Innovate UK Business Growth
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesExpert advice for businesses looking to commercialise new ideas and succeed in international marketsFinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceGrantExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceGrantLoanExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceLoanExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.FinanceExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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 SomersetExpertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Kick Off in Business – business start-up and self employment online courses
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · regions: 6 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesA free-to-access short online programme to help you start a business or become self-employed in England.Expertise and adviceAwardTerms and application → - Free
Cool Ventures
Not yet trading, Trading 1–2 years · South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesCool Ventures can supply business advice, workshops and a range of useful links E-learning tutorials via their website.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Low Carbon Dorset
Trading 1–2 years, Established · South West · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesFree support to help SMEs and community groups in the Dorset Council area reduce their carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and install renewable energy measuresExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Carbon Trust
regions: 8Specialist support and resources to help businesses cut carbon emissions, save energy and work on new technologies.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Able Futures
Trading 1–2 years, Established · regions: 9 · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesAble Futures is a funded service that helps employees, self-employed people and employers manage mental health at work.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
HSE - Health and Safety Executive
regions: 9HSE is a national regulator and government department that supports employers, businesses and employees.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - 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.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKAdvice on good practice in employment and employment relations.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
CompeteFor contract service - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKFree support to help businesses compete for major public and private sector contractsExpertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
Help to Grow: Management - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UK · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesTraining to help SME business leaders to increase productivity, seize investment opportunities and grow their business.Expertise and adviceTerms and application → - Free
WRAP environmental business advice - UK
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UK · 0 to 9, 10 to 249 employeesConfidential advice and support on environmental issues for all UK businessesExpertise and adviceTerms and application →
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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