Start Up Loans offer an affordable source of finance to help new and early stage business owners bring their plans to life. You can borrow between £500 and £25,000; the average loan amount is £7,200.
In addition to finance, all Start Up Loan recipients are offered up to 12 months of mentoring support and access to a range of special business offers.
Click below to get started.
A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan with free mentoring available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK.
Click below to get started.
(The average loan amount is £7,200)
Our Essential Guide to Starting a Business
- Conducting market research on customers and competitors
- Choosing a company structure
- Figuring out your insurance and tax requirements
- Developing your business strategy and sales forecast
- Writing your business plan
- Analysing the strengths and weaknesses of your business
Need help getting started? Try our business planning templates
How to apply
Our application process is designed to allow you to demonstrate that you can afford a Start Up Loan and that you have a strong, viable business idea. Find out more to get started.
STEP 1
REGISTER YOUR DETAILS
Fill in our registration form. Then choose a Delivery Partner or let us match you with one who we think can offer the best support with your application.
Your Delivery Partner will contact you and will be able to provide support with writing your business plan, creating your cash flow forecast and deciding on your loan amount.
STEP 2
COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM
Provide information about your business to help us understand your personal situation, how much you’re seeking and how you’ll use the loan.
Your Delivery Partner will run a credit check to assess if you’re eligible and, in line with our commitment to responsible lending, determine if you can afford the loan.
STEP 3
FINALISE BUSINESS DOCUMENTS
You’ll need to provide a business plan, cash flow forecast and personal survival budget. You can submit these straight away during your application if they’re ready to go.
Don’t worry if your documents aren’t ready yet – your Business Advisor will support you in creating them, and you can use our free templates.
Once your application is complete and you’ve signed your loan agreement, you can draw down your loan and access 12 months of free one-to-one mentoring right away. Click on the Register Now button below to get started.
Once your application is complete and you’ve signed your loan agreement, you can draw down your loan and access 12 months of free one-to-one mentoring right away. Click on the Register Now button below to get started.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible to apply for a Start Up Loan, you must fit the following criteria:
You’re starting a new business or have been trading for up to 36 months
Do you fit the criteria?
If you are in a business partnership, buying an existing business or starting a franchise, you are able to apply for a Start Up Loan if you fit the criteria above. Scroll down this page to find out more about the process for these applicants.