Your business partner applies separately, for their own Start Up Loan. A Start Up Loan is a personal loan, so there's no joint application. Each partner can borrow up to £25,000, and the business can receive up to £100,000 in total.
How it works
- Separate applications. Each partner completes their own application and signs their own loan agreement.
- Separate credit checks. Each of you has your own personal credit check. Your partner's credit history doesn't go on your application, and yours doesn't go on theirs.
- Shared planning documents. You can use the same business plan and cash flow forecast. Each of you still needs your own personal survival budget, because affordability is judged person by person.
- One Business Support Partner for the business. All partners in the same business go through the same Business Support Partner. If you're applying with bizbritain, your partners apply with us too.
Who can apply
Everyone applying needs to own part of the business. Between you, the partners who are applying need to hold at least 50% of it.
How much can each partner borrow?
Each partner can apply for between £500 and £25,000. Up to four partners can apply, taking the business to the £100,000 maximum. See How much can I apply for?.
Getting started
Tell your advisor at the start that you have partners who want to apply. We'll link the applications so your partners don't duplicate work.
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026