The Government-backed Start-Up Loans scheme offers unsecured loans of £500 to £25,000 per person (up to £100,000 per business) to help entrepreneurs grow. With a fixed 6% interest rate and mentoring support, it's a great funding option for new businesses.

Securing financing to start or grow a business is one of the most vital steps in ensuring success. Finding funding can often feel challenging, especially when traditional options like mainstream bank loans may not be available or come with strict conditions, such as requiring personal guarantees or offering security. Fortunately, the Government-backed Start-Up Loans scheme offers a great alternative.

This scheme provides personal loans to individuals looking to develop their business offering a range of benefits to support new entrepreneurs. Not only can applicants receive an unsecured loan (meaning no assets or guarantors are required), but they will also be paired with a business mentor for up to 12 months to guide them through the early stages of their business journey.

Business owners or partners in a business can individually apply for loans ranging from £500 to £25,000 each. A maximum loan amount of £100,000 is available per business if multiple business partners are involved. The average loan amount is around £7,200, with a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum. Loan repayment terms range from 1 to 5 years, and there are no application or early repayment fees.

To be eligible for the Start-Up Loan, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• You live in the UK
• You are 18 years of age or older
• You own (or plan to start) a UK-based business that has been trading for less than 36 months.