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Start Up Loan growth nearly doubles year-on-year, new figures show

Press release 11 August 2026

Start Up Loans data bucks the wider trend of declining business confidence, with value of its loans showing a 14.2% increase in July 2026 versus July 2025.

New data from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, which provides finance and support to start up and early-stage businesses, shows a strong year-on-year increase in the volume and value of early-stage finance being accessed.

In July 2026 the Start Up Loans programme provided UK business owners with £14.6m of finance compared to £12.8m in July 2025 - a 14.2% increase in finance to smaller businesses, nearly double the rate of increase between July 2024 and July 2025 (+7.3%).

The programme’s volume of loans achieved a very similar rate of growth in July 2026 versus the corresponding month in 2025, increasing by 14.8%, with 1,149 Start Up Loans helping businesses either start or grow.

The increase in finance delivered by Start Up Loans is all the more noteworthy as it comes against a mixed picture for business confidence, with ICAEW and Institute of Directors trackers showing recent dips.

Start Up Loans continues to support more businesses across the length and breadth of the UK. Since its inception around 70% of the finance has been delivered outside of London and the South East.

A wide variety of businesses are supported by the programme. Some recipients of loans in July 2026 include:

  • Clyde Coast Saunas – a wood-fired outdoor saunas operator at coastal and estate locations in Scotland, offering social sessions, private hire and wellness experiences
    A PURR-FECT CATCH – a new fishmonger retail shop in Weston-super-Mare
    West Oak Joinery – a designer, manufacturer and installer of bespoke joinery for commercial and residential clients where?
    Leako Leak Detection – a plumbing contractor specialising in leak detection
     

Louise McCoy, Managing Director, Start Up Loans, British Business Bank:

The data we are seeing at Start Up Loans suggests entrepreneurs are if anything more focused than ever on starting or growing their business. This is a strongly positive sign. This July, we’ve seen 148 more loans provided to support businesses starting up or funding early-stage growth compared to July in 2025, with momentum building significantly over the past two years.

It’s great to see a diversity of business owners and business types among the Start Up Loans recipients in every part of the UK, from a new fishmonger to a joinery business.

Further Information

If you are a journalist and have a media enquiry, please contact [email protected].

Notes to editors

About the Start Up Loans programme

The Start Up Loans programme provides personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000 at a fixed interest rate per annum and offers free dedicated mentoring and support to each business. Eligibility for a first Start Up Loan has been extended to businesses that have been trading for up to 60 months.

The primary aim of the Start Up Loans programme is to ensure that viable start-ups and early-stage businesses have access to the finance and support they need in order to thrive. A network of Business Support Partner organisations supports applicants in all regions and industries throughout the UK. The Start Up Loans programme is not designed to generate a commercial profit. Capital payments together with the interest are recycled to help meet increasing demands for finance.

Free guides on a range of subjects related to starting a business are available on the Start Up Loans website. You can find recent media press releases here.

The funding for the Start Up Loans programme is provided by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The Start Up Loans programme is operated by The Start-Up Loans Company, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, registration number 08117656, registered office at Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ.  The Start-Up Loans Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc which is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. British Business Bank plc and its subsidiaries are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. With the exception of BBB Investment Services Limited they are not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority or the Financial Conduct Authority. BBB Investment Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A complete legal structure chart for the group can be found at british-business-bank.co.uk.

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