Loan · England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Start Up Loans
A government-backed personal loan to start or grow a young business, such as a new farm diversification, with free help writing a business plan and a year of free mentoring.
- From
- British Business Bank (UK government)
- How much
- £500 to £25,000 per founder, fixed 7.5% a year, repaid over 1 to 5 years. No application or early repayment fee.
- Who can apply
- UK residents aged 18 or over with a UK business that has been fully trading for less than 5 years, or who plan to start one. You need to pass a credit check.
What you’ll need
- Business plan
- Cash flow forecast
- Personal survival budget
- Proof of ID and address
How to apply
- Register with 'Start now' on the Start Up Loans website
- Work with a delivery partner on your business plan and cash flow
- Submit the application and pass a credit check
- Get the loan and up to 12 months of free mentoring
It is a personal loan, so you owe it yourself even if the business fails. The rate was 6% for years; gov.uk now shows 7.5%.
Similar schemes
- Growth Guarantee Scheme (government-backed business lending) OpenBritish Business Bank, through accredited lendersThe government guarantees part of a loan, overdraft, asset finance or invoice finance from an accredited lender, which can help a farm business borrow when it might not otherwise get finance.
- Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme OpenScottish Government (R100 programme) · Closes 20 November 2026A voucher towards getting a faster broadband connection installed at a home or business with slow broadband and no faster connection planned.
- Sustainable Agriculture Loan Scheme OpenDevelopment Bank of Wales, for the Welsh GovernmentLow-interest loans for on-farm renewable energy, energy efficiency and storage, slurry and nutrient management, and farm infrastructure and equipment.
- Workplace Charging Scheme (EV chargepoints) OpenOffice for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), run by DVLA · Closes 31 March 2027A voucher towards buying and fitting electric vehicle chargepoints for staff or farm fleet vehicles. You get a voucher code and give it to an authorised installer, who claims the money.
- 40% first-year allowance Open all yearHMRCDeduct 40% of the cost of new main-rate plant and machinery from profits in the first year, with the rest claimed over later years.
- Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) Open all yearHMRCDeduct the full cost of most machinery and equipment (tractors, kit, many fixtures) from your profits in the year you buy it, so you pay less tax.
Checked against the official pages on 29 October 2026. Sources: 1. Always read the official page before you apply.