You have a great business idea but cannot access finance to make it happen. You are not alone. This position is more common than you think. The barriers to accessing finance are well known with including location, lack of networking opportunities, or previous financial disparities playing their part.
Thankfully, help is at hand in the form of the Start Up Loans programme which supports individuals looking to start or grow a business. Since its launch in 2012, the Start Up Loans programme has delivered more than £1bn of funding to over 109,000 UK businesses. For every £1 invested in the scheme, £3.30 of value is delivered back into the UK economy.
Is a Start Up Loan for you? These frequently asked questions will help you answer the question.
SeaGrown, whose farm is based in the North Sea four miles out of Scarborough, was the brainchild of former fisherman, diver in the Navy and navigating officer Wave Crookes and marine scientist Laura Robinson, who met while on a Royal Research Ship in Antarctica. The duo were inspired to set up a business harvesting seaweed after discovering many of its surprising qualities.
“The funding from BEF has enabled us to purchase the equipment which is fundamental for us to start processing the seaweed. We’ve had an overwhelming amount of interest and support from the local community and have also taken on two full time and two part time employees who’ll be working across all aspects of SeaGrown.”
- Wave Crookes, director, SeaGrown
Our FAQ section includes answers to common questions. If your question isn't listed, our dedicated team is just a message away.
Whether you're just starting to shape your business idea or you're looking to grow your start-up, securing a Start Up Loan can help you flourish while contributing to the prosperity and resilience of your local community.
Key Features:
A Start Up Loan is here to help your start-up grow, but we get that every business is different. You can generally use the loan for things like day-to-day costs, premises, equipment, stock, marketing, bringing on new team members, or other ways to build your business.
We suggest explaining how you plan to use the money in your application, so it matches up with what the loan is meant for.
Each individual can borrow between £500 and £25,000 at any one time. Please note if multiple business partners are each applying for a loan for the same business, a maximum of £100,000 may be lent that that business in its lifetime which may impact upon the amount you are personally able to borrow.
Additionally, if you successfully apply for a Start Up Loan then after you have made six full repayments you may be eligible to apply for additional finance for the same business in the form of a Second Loan. Find out more about Second Loans.
To be eligible to apply for a Start Up Loan, you must fit the following criteria:
Yes, that's what the Start Up Loans programme provides. The government-backed, low interest loan is an excellent option for anyone who wants to start or grow a business that has traded for less than 36 months.
No, Start Up Loans are not hard to get thanks to a simple process:
Usually, our team of Investment Managers will help you finish everything up within six weeks after you apply.
More often than not, start-up businesses are unable to access finance from high street lenders due to their location, lack of networking opportunities, or previous financial disparities. A Start Up Loan levels the playing field to provide the access to finance and support that young business owners need.
We look at every application carefully, considering more than just your credit history. Even if your credit isn't perfect, it doesn't mean you're out of the running.
We are committed to lending responsibly and has to ensure that applicants will be able to repay the loan.
You cannot receive a Start Up Loan if:
We suggest talking with an Investment Manager about your particular case to figure out the best way to move forward.
Typically, a Start Up Loan is the easiest first time loan to secure. The government-backed scheme is a great alternative for people looking for a business loan to fund a start-up.
A Start Up Loan offers a comprehensive package that includes a low interest rate (6%), free free application and early repayment, and 12 months post-loan support. That means it compares well to alternative loan products from BEF and other lenders.
The Start Up Loans programme supports business owners from diverse backgrounds. Since its launch in 2012, the programme delivered:
