Start Up Loan
A government-backed personal loan of £500 to £25,000 for businesses trading less than five years, with a year of free mentoring.
Roughly worth: £500 to £25,000 at a fixed 7.5% a year, no fees
First step: Apply online for a Start Up Loan.
Who it is for
You're 18 or over, live in the UK, your business is pre-start or has traded for under 5 years, you can afford the repayments, and you can't get the money elsewhere. It's a personal loan, so you're liable for it.
How to get it
Apply online through Start Up Loans. In the North East, the Business Enterprise Fund delivers it.
Run by British Business Bank. Last checked 14 October 2026 against the official source.