bizbritain guides
The guide library
Every article we’ve published, newest first. Filter by topic or search for the question in front of you. Cited, dated, and quietly updated when policy or rates change.
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Starting an online business with a Start Up Loan: what your plan needs to show
You can start an online business with a Start Up Loan. Here is what it typically pays for, and what your plan needs to show about margins and customers.
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Can co-founders both get a Start Up Loan? Yes, and each loan stays with the founder who took it
Can co-founders both get a Start Up Loan? Yes. Each of you applies for your own loan. What to agree first, and what happens if one of you leaves.
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Starting a business while employed: Start Up Loans, HMRC and when to go full time
Starting a business while employed? Tell HMRC by 5 October if you need to, and know that a job does not stop you applying for a Start Up Loan.
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Can a limited company get a Start Up Loan? No, but its founders can
A Start Up Loan for a limited company is a personal loan to each founder. How the money gets into your company, and the Companies House step to take first.
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Declined for a Start Up Loan? Six months to reapply, 30 days to appeal, and what to do in between
Declined for a Start Up Loan? You have 30 days to appeal and six months before you can reapply. Appeals rarely succeed, so here is what to fix in the six months, and where bizbritain fits in.
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How long does a Start Up Loan take? With bizbritain, usually one to two weeks from submission
With bizbritain, most applicants are approved within one to two weeks of submitting a finished application, and funds can land within 24 hours. The part that sets the pace is the paperwork, and myplan cuts the workbook down to about 30 minutes.
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Do I need a deposit for a Start Up Loan? No, and here is what unsecured means
Do I need a deposit for a Start Up Loan? No. The scheme asks for no deposit, no security and no guarantor. Here is what unsecured means for you.
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Can AI write a business plan for a Start Up Loan? The 2026 guide
Can AI write a business plan for a Start Up Loan? It can draft the words. It cannot know your customers, your costs or your own budget. Here is what to let it do and what to keep.
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Can I use a Start Up Loan for stock or equipment? The 2026 guide
Yes, you can use a Start Up Loan for stock or equipment. Here is what the money can go on, what it cannot, and when asset finance is the better route for a big purchase.
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Can I get a Start Up Loan on Universal Credit? The 2026 guide
Yes, you can apply for a Start Up Loan on Universal Credit. Here is what the scheme checks, how the 12-month start-up period works, and what to prepare.
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How long does a Start Up Loan last? One to five years, and how to choose
A Start Up Loan lasts one to five years. Here is how the term you pick changes the monthly cost, and why you can still clear it early at no extra cost.
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How much can I borrow with a Start Up Loan in 2026?
How much can I borrow with a Start Up Loan? Between £500 and £25,000 as one person, and up to £100,000 where four business partners each apply.
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