Start Up Loans for ambitious founders
Build with government-backed funding.
Start your applicationThe Start Up Loans scheme in numbers
Loans delivered to UK founders
Invested in new businesses
Women-led businesses supported
Ethnic minority-led businesses supported
What is a Start Up Loan?
A Start Up Loan gives ambitious founders access to government backed funding and expert support to help launch, grow and move their business forward.
Whether you're buying equipment, funding marketing, purchasing stock or building working capital, a Start Up Loan can help you take the next step with confidence.
As an official delivery partner of the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme, we've been supporting founders since it launched in 2012.
For businesses starting out or trading up to 5 years
- Up to £25,000 per founder
- 7.5% fixed interest over 1–5 years
- No setup or early repayment fees
- No security or guarantors required
- 12 months free mentoring
- Funds available in 3–8 weeks
Why founders choose a Start Up Loan
| Start Up Loan | Banks | |
|---|---|---|
| Trading history |
Trading history
Pre-start to 5 years
|
Trading history
Requires trading history
|
| Funding |
Funding
Up to £25k per founder
|
Funding
Often harder for new businesses
|
| Personal advisor |
Personal advisor
Included
|
Personal advisor
No
|
| Mentoring |
Mentoring
Included
|
Mentoring
Rare
|
| Security |
Security
None required
|
Security
May require security
|
| Interest rate |
Interest rate
7.5% fixed
|
Interest rate
Rates vary
|
Why choose Start up Loan from Finance NW
Dedicated adviser support
You'll have one to one support throughout your application.
Put your best application forward
We'll help you strengthen your business plan and financial forecasts before assessment.
Fair, transparent finance
Fixed interest, no setup fees and no early repayment charges.
Start Up Loans since 2012
We've supported founders through the scheme since it launched.
Ready to take the next step?
Start your applicationStart or grow with confidence
You don't need a perfect business plan to get started. Most successful applicants begin with a clear idea, a funding requirement and a plan for how the business will move forward.
Client testimonials
We’ve helped thousands of founders. Here’s what they have to say.
“They clearly understood our vision and the entire process was straightforward, taking the stress out of launching a brand new business.”
Jeff Ben Mayor
“We were put in touch with Julie from BEF. She was absolutely brilliant and gave us all the help and advice we needed”
“The shop needed a lot of work to complete it so I used my own savings to get it just right. I then used BEF’s funding to help fill it with stock.”
“We'd like to say a huge thank you for all the support we've received from everyone involved in marketing Spark:York happen.”
What happens next
Complete the form below. There's no credit check at this stage.
You'll have one to one support from a dedicated BEF adviser throughout your application.
We'll help refine your business plan and financial forecasts before they're submitted for assessment.
Once approved, your loan is paid into your bank account and you'll receive 12 months of mentoring.
If you're clear on your business idea and funding needs, we'll help with the rest.
I'm ready to get startedQuestions founders ask before they apply
Key things you need to know to apply with confidence. If you don’t see your answer here, our team’s just a message away.
Ready to get started?
You'll have support from a dedicated BEF adviser throughout your application, helping you put your strongest application forward.
Representative example
Representative Example - Personal Loan for Business Use Only: £10,000.00 repayable over 60 months at 7.8% Representative APR*. 60 months at the AIR** of 7.5% p.a for fixed monthly payments of £200.45. Total cost of credit of £2,027.00 and total amount payable of £12,027.00. Finance subject to status and 18+ only.
*Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the total cost of the credit expressed as an annual percentage. It represents the actual yearly cost of credit over the loan term.
**Annual Interest Rate (AIR) is the rate of interest on a loan with the rate compounded on a daily basis.
These calculations are only for illustrative purposes. Your actual loan terms may vary depending on your circumstances.
Loans of up to £25,000 are available from the Start Up Loans Company. Rates and terms will vary for other loan products from BEF should you not be eligible for a Start Up Loan.
Further information, and terms and conditions are available on request.
Important legal information
The Start Up Loans Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc. It is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, registration number 08117656, registered office at 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, England, WC2H 9JQ.
British Business Bank plc 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. They are not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
A complete legal structure chart for the group can be found at www.british-business-bank.co.uk.