Start Up Loans
A government-backed personal loan, with business planning support and mentoring, to start or grow a UK business.
Business · Business finance · England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Latest official GOV.UK guidance
Successfully checked 2026-10-05T07:05:24.699Z.
Loans and mentoring for people looking to start or grow a business in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Overview
Apply for a government-backed Start Up Loan of £500 to £25,000 to start or grow your business.
Unlike a business loan, this is an unsecured personal loan. You’ll need to pass a credit check.
You’ll get free support and guidance to help write your business plan, and successful applicants get up to 12 months of free mentoring.
Eligibility and application guidance
To apply for the loan all of the following must apply:
you live in the UK
you’re 18 or over
you have (or plan to start) a UK-based business that’s been fully trading for less than 5 years
Find local advice and free support for your business on business.gov.uk.
Fees and repayment
Start Up Loans are government-backed and charge a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per year.
You can repay the loan over a period of 1 to 5 years. There’s no application fee and no early repayment fee.
This guidance takes precedence over the editorial overview below. Read the full guidance and application links on GOV.UK.
Editorial overview
What support is available?
Borrow £500 to £25,000, subject to approval. Successful applicants can receive up to 12 months of free mentoring.
Who may be eligible?
- You must live in the UK and be aged 18 or over.
- You must have, or plan to start, a UK-based business that has been fully trading for less than 5 years.
- Credit and affordability checks apply.
How to apply
- Read the current eligibility, interest and repayment terms on GOV.UK.
- Prepare your business plan and financial information with the support available.
- Follow the official Start Up Loans application link.
Important things to know
- This is an unsecured personal loan, not a grant. You are personally responsible for repayment and interest.
- Check current interest rates and repayment terms before borrowing.
Check Start Up Loans on GOV.UK
Editorial overview reviewed: .
GovDealFinder is independent and is not affiliated with HM Government. This is a curated directory, not a complete list or an eligibility decision. Rules, funding and application windows can change. Always check the official guidance before applying. Loans must be repaid; tax relief is not a cash grant.