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
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
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
Regional Growth Loan Scheme - East of England
Established · EasternLoans to finance growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the east of England. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Business Growth Loans - Sussex, Surrey, Suffolk, Kent, Essex, London, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire.
Open for applicationsEstablished · Eastern, London, South EastLet’s Do Business Finance can support businesses across the South and East of England to access finance of up to £250k. - Loan · amount on GOV.UK
Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative Recycled Fund - England
The scheme site does not openEstablished · regions: 9Loan fund for SMEs in the manufacturing supply chain who are looking for investment to grow and support job creation. - 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.
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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