Government-backed Start Up Loans
Need funding for a new UK business under 5 years old? Then a Government-backed Start Up Loan of £500–£25,000 could be for you. Fixed at 7.5%, with 12 months of free mentoring and free access to our AI powered business planning tool*.
No credit check on the eligibility quiz. We're a credit broker, not a lender.
Two ways in
Most founders start with the 60-second eligibility check. If you already know you want to apply, jump straight to the form.
Answer six short questions and we'll tell you straight away whether you're likely to be approved — with no credit check and no obligation. Takes about 60 seconds.
No impact on your credit score.
Already know it's right for you? Fill out the form below to get started in seconds. Once you've submitted your details, a bizbritain advisor will be in touch to walk you through everything.
3 fields. No credit check at this stage.
The product
bizbritain is an official business support partner of the British Business Bank, delivering Start Up Loans to UK founders since 2013.
Borrow what you actually need — no padding, no minimum draw beyond £500.
Multiple co-founders can each apply for their own £25,000.
The rate doesn't move while you repay. No surprises mid-term.
Spread the repayments over a length that suits the business.
No arrangement fees and no early-repayment charge. Settle whenever you can.
Included with every approved loan. Real human support, not a chatbot.
Personal loan for business purposes. Subject to status. We're a credit broker, not a lender. Representative Example at the foot of the page.
New from bizbritain · MyPlan
Every Start Up Loans application needs a business plan, a personal survival budget and a cashflow forecast. For most founders that's the moment they stall.
MyPlan is our AI-powered tool that asks you simple questions about your business and produces everything you need in minutes. No complicated spreadsheets, no formulas, no guessing what information to include.
Free for every bizbritain applicant.
The journey
bizbritain has supported 10,000+ founders through this exact process. Here's what to expect.
Fill out the form on this page. There's no credit check at this stage and there's no obligation. A bizbritain advisor will get in touch the same working day.
We walk you through everything, including free access to our AI tool that asks simple questions then compiles your full application pack.
Your assigned bizbritain advisor reviews everything, makes sure the application is assessment-ready, then submits it for approval.
Once approved, your loan is paid into your business bank account, your 12 months of free mentoring kicks in, and you can get on with starting up.
Eligibility
Most bizbritain founders have everyday businesses in trades or services, and many have been turned down by a high-street bank before they reach us. The Start Up Loans scheme exists exactly for that.
Already declined elsewhere? You're not alone.
Around two-thirds of Start Up Loans go to founders the mainstream banks turned down. The scheme exists for exactly this. Send us your details and let's talk.
Real founders, real businesses
Here are a few of them. Real people, real businesses, real results.
£25,000 Start Up Loan · 2022
“bizbritain got my restaurant funded after the bank turned me down. We now serve customers seven days a week.”
£18,000 Start Up Loan · 2021
“Four years on, I've grown from one van to a waiting list across Merseyside. bizbritain helped me apply when no one else would.”
£25,000 Start Up Loan · 2023
“Funded my first outdoor-gym builds. We're now installing across the UK with a proper team behind us.”
Latest 5-star reviews on Trustpilot
From founders we've helped through the Start Up Loans application.
Excellent
2,012 reviews
Zoe was absolutely fantastic. She helped me all the way from start to finish and made the process really easy. I could not have asked for a better experience with her.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have had an excellent experience with BizBritain throughout my Start Up Loan application. From the beginning, the team has been professional, knowledgeable and supportive, taking the time to explain each stage of the process clearly. My Business Adviser, Karen Sawyer, has been extremely helpful, providing prompt responses to my questions and offering constructive guidance whenever additional information was required. The application process has been thorough, which gave me confidence that my business plan and financial forecasts were being properly assessed. Although a significant amount of documentation was requested, the requirements were explained clearly and the communication was always professional and courteous. As someone establishing a specialist business, Master Accordions London Ltd, I particularly appreciated the personalised approach and the encouragement provided throughout the application process. I would happily recommend BizBritain to anyone looking to start or grow a business through the Start Up Loans programme. Their guidance and support have made the process much easier and more understandable. Thank you to Karen and the BizBritain team for all your assistance.
Quick, simple and easy. Got to work with Helen the second time for my loan. Great loan advisor, made it easy and understandable with no trouble at all.
Clear communication and always on hand to help when needed.
I had an excellent experience with BizBritain throughout my second Start Up Loan application. From the beginning, the process was clear, professional, and well organised. A special thank you to Victoria Fox, who was outstanding from start to finish. She was always helpful, patient, and quick to respond to any questions I had. She kept me informed at every stage of the application and made what could have been a stressful process feel straightforward and manageable. Victoria took the time to explain what information was needed, reviewed my application thoroughly, and provided clear guidance to help me submit the strongest possible application. Her support and professionalism were greatly appreciated. I'm delighted that my loan has now been approved, and I'm looking forward to using the funding to continue growing CorkEco Solutions. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend BizBritain to anyone applying for a Start Up Loan. Thank you again, Victoria, and the whole BizBritain team, for your excellent support.
YouTube · 2 min watch
Founder story
Azmol applied to bizbritain after his bank declined him. He used the funding to launch Lavang and now serves customers seven days a week.
vs The high-street bank
The Start Up Loans scheme was created by the Government for the founders mainstream banks routinely turn down. Here's how it stacks up.
| The high-street bank Typical first-time applicant experience | A bizbritain Start Up Loan Government-backed, FCA-authorised broker |
|---|---|
| Often won't lend without 2 – 3 years of business accounts. | Built for founders pre-launch and up to 60 months of trading. |
| A weak credit score usually means an automatic 'no'. | We assess each founder on a fuller picture, not a single number. |
| You bring the business plan and the spreadsheets. | MyPlan builds your plan and forecast with you, free. |
| Personal guarantee or collateral typically required. | Unsecured personal loan for business purposes. |
| You and your money are on your own once it's lent. | 12 months of free mentoring included with every approved loan. |
| Variable rates that can move on you mid-term. | 7.5% AIR, fixed for the life of the loan. |
Source: British Business Bank Start Up Loans evaluation. Around two-thirds of Start Up Loans go to founders who would not have been funded by mainstream lenders.
Frequently asked
If your question isn't here, fill out the form and a bizbritain advisor will answer it the same working day.
Apply
Submit your details below to begin your application. A named bizbritain advisor will be in touch to walk you through the process.
Representative Example
For a loan of £10,000 repayable over 60 months (5 years).
Start Up Loans is a Government-funded scheme which provides fixed-interest loans and mentoring support to aspiring business owners from across the UK who might be struggling to access other forms of finance. A subsidiary of the British Business Bank, the scheme supports employment, enables economic growth, and has a transformational impact on the lives of thousands of people.
A Start Up Loan is a personal loan for business purposes for a term of 1 to 5 years at a fixed rate of 7.5% per annum.
Applications must be aged 18 or over at the time of application. A credit check will be completed. Finance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.
bizbritain is a business support partner of the British Business Bank delivering Start Up Loans as part of a network of business support partners.
bizbritain finance limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for credit brokerage activity (Firm Reference Number 727207). We are also registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for the processing of personal data (Registration Number ZA062551). bizbritain finance limited is incorporated in England and Wales (Company Number 08354773). Registered office: Level 18, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5NR.
bizbritain finance acts as a credit broker, not a lender. We do not make credit decisions, and we do not offer loans directly. We may receive a commission or fee from lenders or finance providers for introducing customers. This does not affect the interest rates or terms you are offered.
All calls are recorded for training, monitoring and compliance purposes. Complaints: complaints@bizbritain.com · Complaints Policy · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Terms of Use · Terms of Business.
Step 1 of 2
Pick the option that fits best. We'll take you straight to the right page — and a bizbritain advisor will be on hand if you'd rather talk it through.
