You can apply for between £500 and £25,000. That limit is per person, so if you run the business with partners, each of you can apply for your own loan, up to £100,000 for the business in total.
If you have business partners or shareholders
- Each partner applies separately, for a personal loan in their own name.
- Up to four partners can each borrow up to £25,000, which takes the business to the £100,000 maximum.
- The £100,000 cap applies to the business over its lifetime, not per year.
See What do I do if my business partner also wants to apply? for how joint applications work.
How much should you ask for?
The right amount is the amount your business plan shows you need and your budget shows you can repay. Not the most you're allowed. When we assess the application we look at:
- What the money is for. Every pound should match a cost in your plan.
- Whether you can afford it. Your personal survival budget has to show you can cover your living costs and the monthly repayments.
- Whether the business can support it. Your cash flow forecast should show the business can carry the loan.
Asking for more than the plan supports is a common reason applications need reworking. Your bizbritain advisor will help you land on an amount that fits.
Already have a Start Up Loan?
You can't owe more than £25,000 in Start Up Loans at any one time. If you've repaid part of your first loan, you may be able to borrow again up to that limit. See Second loans: how do I apply for a second Start Up Loan?.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026