Start Up Loans
Start or grow your own business
- Borrow up to £25,000
- Fixed interest rate of 6% per annum (per year)
- Repay over a term of 1–5 years
- 12 months of free mentoring
- Government-backed


Learn with Start Up Loans
Start Up Loans has partnered with The Open University to offer a range of free courses ideal for people who are going into business for the first time. The courses provide rich information covering subjects such as:
- Entrepreneurship
- Career and Leadership
- Finance and Accounting
- Sustainability
- Project Management
Borrow up to £25,000
(The average loan amount is £7,200)
Fixed interest rate of 6% per annum (per year)
Repay the loan over a term of 1–5 years
No fees for arranging the loan or paying it back early
Support with writing business plans and cash flow forecasts
12 months of free mentoring once you receive a loan
A range of useful templates and how-to guides
Exclusive discounts on business products from O2, Experian, Intuit and 30+ more
To be eligible to apply for a Start Up Loan, you must meet the following criteria:
You’re starting a new business or have been trading for up to 36 months
Your type of business and reason for wanting the loan is eligible under the terms of the scheme
Do you meet the criteria?
Apply today and get support with creating your business plan and cash flow forecast.
If you’re in a business partnership, buying an existing business or starting a franchise, you can apply for a Start Up Loan if you meet the criteria above. Scroll down this page to find out more about the process for these applicants.
The essential guide to starting a business

Inside, you’ll find tips and advice on:
- conducting market research on customers and competitors
- choosing a company structure
- figuring out your responsibilities around paying insurance and tax
- developing your business strategy and sales forecast
- writing your business plan
- analysing your strengths and weaknesses
Download this free guide
Enter your details to start your download.
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Our success stories
Thousands of UK businesses have been backed with the help of a Start Up Loan. Read below to find out about some of our success stories and how the support we offer, combined with small business funding, helped them turn their dreams into reality.
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