£1bn of finance to unlock potential across the UK
Since 2012, our Start Up Loans programme has provided over £1bn of finance to aspiring business owners across the UK, enabling them to follow their passion, make their business dream a reality and become their own boss.
Explore the interactive map to find out more about how Start Up Loans has helped businesses in your local area.
We’ve enabled over 105,000 aspiring entrepreneurs to set up businesses across the Nations and regions of the UK.
Roll over or click a constituency area on the map to see the difference our Start Up Loans programme has made where you live.
40% of our loans went to female applicants
20% of our loans went to people from Black, Asian and Other Ethnic Minority backgrounds
31% of our loans went to people who were unemployed or economically inactive on application
* Figures shown in £
Tip: use the zoom buttons to highlight smaller constituencies, or hover over the map for constituency data
Robin Valley
The business owners who received the £1bn milestone loan drawn down were Wanchong Chen and Liang Zhang, owners of Robin Valley Limited, a jewellery business based in Liverpool. Robin Valley’s wooden jewellery combines innovation, sustainability and unique design. The business serves as a wholesale supplier to prominent organisations and gift shops including the London and Marwell Zoos, Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden and the Fitzwilliam Museum. They took out a £15,000 loan to purchase machinery and pay staff wages, which allowed them to expand production.
Our Success Stories
Read some of the inspiring stories behind the £1bn figure to see where Start Up Loans has made a real difference to people across the UK.
Feral Pigs Wine
Feral Pigs Wine is a wine shop in Newport, Pembrokeshire and established by trained sommelier and former restaurant manager at Llys Meddyg, Dave Cushley.
Panther M*lk
Panther M*lk – an oat milk alcoholic cocktail brand based in Glasgow. The drinks business recently secured its first major retail listing, with bottles of the cocktail now stocked in 40 of Asda’s supermarkets across Scotland. Following an appearance on Dragon’s Den in 2022, Paul Crawford received a £17,500 loan through the Start Up Loans scheme to support his ambitious growth plans.
Vocus Vit
Vocus Vit offers premium activewear for ladies with a focus on sustainability. The range is made from recycled plastic bottles without compromising on comfort, fit and style. It’s founded by Omagh entrepreneur Sarah-Jane Murray. Sarah-Jane took out a loan of £10,000 to help fulfil her dream of launching sustainable activewear business.
Pets and Picasso
Pets and Picasso received a £25,000 loan in June this year. The community interest company (CIC), set up by Anna Corwood and her partner Luke Gash, aims to provide animal and art assisted therapy to local people living with a wide range of health conditions.
Robin Valley
Robin Valley, co-founded by husband and wife entrepreneurs Wanchong Chen and Liang Zhang, is a wooden jewellery brand that combines innovation, sustainability, and unique design.
Dragonfly Films
Matt Everett borrowed £10,000 in July 2023 to grow into Dragonfly films. Dragonfly films is a London-based video production company using state-of-the-art equipment and modern techniques to deliver high-end video content for businesses nationwide.
JPC Speciality Motorsports
JPC Specialty Motorsports took out their loan of £5,000 in July 2023. JPC Specialist Motorsports, part of the charity JPC Community Farm, is a place of respite for special needs children and adults.
Lassad Care Services
Juliet Chibasa borrowed £3,000 in June 2023 to grow Lassad Care Services. Lassad Care Services, based in Chelmsford, is a domiciliary care business that offers a range of services for the elderly, children, and young adults, including personal care, light cleaning, attending appointments and day centres, walks, holidays, meals, and family support.
Harbour & Tide
Katy Lassen borrowed £25,500 to grow into Harbour and Tide. Harbour & Tide is a modern local beach store in Margate, offering functional, joyful, and sustainable products for seaside life. The store was launched as a pop-up in 2022 and opened its first permanent location in Margate in Spring 2023.
Lifted Drinks
Lifted Drinks took out their loan of £25,000 in May 2023. Lifted Drinks, based in Staffordshire, creates an alcohol-free beer that offers the taste of the beverage while incorporating the post-workout benefits of a protein shake.
The Singing Spice Company
The Singing Spice Company took out their loan of £6,000 in February 2023. The company aims to take the stress out of cooking by creating packs of spice blends that are hand blended to family recipes going back three generations.
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