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
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
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
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. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Non-CO2 Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKFunding for research and technology development to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive positions in civil aerospace. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) SME Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKOffers funding for civil aerospace research and technology development in the UK. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Strategic Programme
Trading 1–2 years, Established · the whole UKFunding for research and technology development to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive positions in civil aerospace. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Horizon Europe funding
Open for applicationsthe whole UKFunding for research or innovation that's ground breaking, improves European research standards or responds to challenges like climate change or food security. - Grant · amount on GOV.UK
Momentum Music Fund
the whole UK · 0 to 9 employeesThe Momentum Music Fund offers grants of £5k-£15k for artists/bands to break through to the next level of their careers. - 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
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. - 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
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
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
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
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
Carbon Trust
regions: 8Specialist support and resources to help businesses cut carbon emissions, save energy and work on new technologies. - 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
HSE - Health and Safety Executive
regions: 9HSE is a national regulator and government department that supports employers, businesses and employees. - 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.
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
| Programme | A month | Interest | Term |
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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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