Yes, if you meet the scheme's rules. A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan for business use, and it can help you start a new franchise or buy an existing one.
The terms
- £500 to £25,000 per person, at a fixed 7.5% a year, over 1 to 5 years.
- Up to four eligible owners can each apply, up to £100,000 per business. See What do I do if my business partner also wants to apply?
- For new businesses, or ones trading for up to 60 months.
- A personal loan: you repay it personally, whatever happens to the business.
- 12 months of free mentoring comes with it.
Buying an existing franchise
A Start Up Loan can help you buy an established franchise, as long as you haven't personally owned it for more than 60 months. See Can I use a Start Up Loan to buy a business or a franchise?
How it works with us
bizbritain is a Start Up Loans Business Support Partner. A bizbritain Business Advisor assesses your application against the scheme's rules. The scheme's finance partner then runs final checks, issues the loan agreement and provides the funds.
Are you eligible?
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.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026