• You’re starting a business or have been trading for less than 3 years
• You need funding for equipment, stock, premises, or marketing
• You’re based in the UK and planning to run a UK-based business
• You want a lender that backs potential, not just credit scores

✘ You need a grant or non-repayable funding
✘ You have a growth project that requires more than £25k 
✘ You’ve been trading for more than three years (try our Small Business Loan instead)
✘ You’re unable to afford regular repayments
✘ You’re currently bankrupt or on a Debt Relief Order or IVA

A Start Up Loan is a personal loan used for business purposes. It can be used for all the essentials:

• Buying tools or equipment
• Purchasing stock or supplies
• Renting workspace or fitting out your premises
• Launching your website or marketing your business
• Hiring your first employee
• Expanding into a new market

Please note: You can’t use this loan to repay personal debts or invest in non-business activities.

To qualify for a Start Up Loan you need to:

• Be 18 years old or above
• Live in the UK
• Pre-start or have been running a business for up to 36 months
• Not be able to access money from somewhere else. A self-declaration is all we need to understand your situation.
• Own a UK-based business
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Meet the scheme's rules for your business and what you need the loan for

Meeting these criteria means you’re on the path to unlocking your business's potential with a Start-Up Loan.

Ready to start? Start your application

Yes we do!

This 1-minute checklist helps you make sure you're ready to apply. It covers the key things you’ll need so you can apply with confidence.

✔ A clear business idea: Know what product or service you’re offering and how it will make money.

✔ A business plan: Include your goals, target market, pricing, and strategy.

✔ A 12-month cash flow forecast: Show how much money you expect to come in and go out of your business.

✔ Personal and business ID: Have documents ready to prove your identity and UK residency.

✔ A good understanding of your personal credit score: The loan is a personal loan, so your credit history matters.

✔ Know how much funding you need (up to £25,000): Be ready to explain how you’ll use the loan.

✔ Proof of affordability: We want to know the loan repayments are manageable.

✔ Be aged 18+ and a UK resident: You must live in the UK and be eligible to work here.

✔ Your business must be under 3 years old (or pre-launch): You can apply before you start trading or within 36 months of launching.

Yes, as a responsible lender, Start Up Loans carries out credit checks to make sure the loan is affordable and won’t put you under financial strain. This helps us support you in a sustainable and fair way.

Yes. We consider the whole picture. A poor credit history won’t automatically rule you out, but we can’t lend to anyone currently bankrupt, or on a DRO or IVA.

No. There are no guarantors, no collateral required, and absolutely no hidden fees.

Yes. Every successful applicant gets 12 months of free mentoring from an experienced business adviser.

The Open University provides a selection of free courses perfect for individuals starting their own business for the first time.

The courses provide rich information covering subjects such as:

• Entrepreneurship
• Career and Leadership
• Finance and Accounting
• Sustainability
• Project Management

Explore the courses.