UK Startup Funding
The grants, loans, equity and vouchers available to UK founders building idea-stage, startup and early-stage businesses.
21
Programmes
8
Providers in scope
10
Advisor-reviewed
5
Regions covered
Featured
Top programmes in this theme
Advisor-reviewed grants and the highest-quality listings from the live catalogue.
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)
SEIS is a UK government tax-incentive scheme that lets very early-stage companies raise up to £250,000 of equity from individual investors, who in turn receive substantial income tax, capital gains and loss-relief benefits. It is the single most generous personal-tax incentive in the UK and is the default first equity instrument for pre-revenue or just-trading startups.
SMART: SCOTLAND
Grant for Scotland-based SMEs to undertake technical feasibility studies or R&D projects with strong commercial potential.
Start Up Loan
The Start Up Loan is an unsecured government-backed personal loan of £500–£25,000 (average ~£12k) for UK individuals starting or growing a business that has been trading for under 36 months. It is delivered by Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank, via accredited Delivery Partners, with a fixed 6% APR and free mentoring for 12 months.
Enterprise Capital Funds
British Business Bank programme co-investing alongside private venture capital fund managers to address the equity gap for high-potential early-stage UK SMEs.
Start Up Loans
UK government-backed personal loan for people starting or growing a new business (trading less than 36 months). Includes free mentoring.
Wales Technology Seed Fund
Early-stage equity for Wales-based technology businesses, typically co-investing alongside other investors.
ICURe (Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research)
Innovate UK programme helping early-career researchers test the commercial potential of their university research before forming a company or licensing.
Regional Angels Programme
A British Business Bank programme that channels capital to angel investor groups across the UK, with a focus on regions outside London.
Development Bank of Wales Micro Loans
A Welsh public lender providing micro loans to small and early-stage Welsh businesses.
NI Small Business Loan Fund
A regional loan fund providing unsecured small-business loans to Northern Ireland firms that cannot access standard bank finance.
Business Gateway Local Growth Advice
Free local business support across Scotland — startup workshops, advisers and access to grants delivered by local authorities through Business Gateway.
Co-Fund NI
Equity co-investment fund managed by Clarendon Fund Managers on behalf of Invest NI, investing alongside business angels and other private investors in NI SMEs.
Pathways
Step-by-step funding journeys
Curated pathways that include programmes from this theme.
Startup Funding Pathway
How a UK founder typically moves from idea-stage advisory support to their first innovation grant and beyond.
View pathway →Innovation Funding Pathway
The UK innovation funding ladder: from free advisory support to consortium-led international R&D.
View pathway →Scotland Funding Pathway
How Scottish SMEs sequence local Scottish Enterprise support, SMART: SCOTLAND and UK-wide innovation funding.
View pathway →Growth Capital & Equity Ladder
How UK companies sequence Start Up Loans, SEIS, EIS, angel funding and patient capital into a coherent equity ladder.
View pathway →Northern Ireland Funding Pathway
How NI SMEs use Invest NI Innovation Vouchers, R&D Grants and Selective Financial Assistance before progressing to UK-wide funding.
View pathway →Wales Funding Pathway
How Welsh SMEs sequence Business Wales advisory, SMART Cymru and UK-wide innovation funding.
View pathway →Comparisons
Compare programmes
Side-by-side analyses touching this theme.
Growth Guarantee Scheme vs Start Up Loans
Which government-backed debt option fits your stage and amount?
Compare →Start Up Loan vs SEIS-Backed Angel Investment
When founder loans are the right first capital, and when to skip straight to SEIS-backed equity.
Compare →Innovate UK Smart Grants vs ICURe
Funding a deep-tech idea: market-validate or build straight to grant?
Compare →Scottish Enterprise vs Innovate UK
How Scottish Enterprise R&D Grants and SMART: SCOTLAND differ from Innovate UK Smart Grants — and when to use each.
Compare →SEIS vs EIS
When to use SEIS, when to graduate to EIS, and how the two schemes interlock on the UK equity ladder.
Compare →SEIS vs EIS — when to use which
A practical comparison for founders raising their first or follow-on EIS-style round.
Compare →Decision guides
Choose the right route
Editorial guides for picking between programmes in this theme.
Am I too early to raise equity?
If you cannot show what investor money would change, you are too early.
Read guide →How should a Scottish SME sequence funding?
A realistic order in which to apply for Scottish and UK-wide support as a Scotland-based SME.
Read guide →How should a UK deep-tech founder sequence funding?
Validate with ICURe or a Catapult scoping project, then layer grants, equity and reliefs.
Read guide →What comes after a Start Up Loan?
Realistic next steps for UK founders who have used a Start Up Loan to launch.
Read guide →What funding exists if I'm pre-revenue with no IP?
Realistic UK funding options for founders who have not yet built revenue or patentable IP.
Read guide →Which funding pathway should I follow?
Pick the pathway that matches your biggest current constraint, not your ambition.
Read guide →Providers
Bodies funding this theme
Public bodies and agencies that administer the most programmes in this slice.
Start Up Loans
4Government-backed personal loans for people starting or growing a business.
British Business Bank
2The UK's economic development bank, providing finance to smaller businesses.
Development Bank of Wales
2The Development Bank of Wales is the Welsh Government-owned investment bank providing loans, equity and mezzanine finance to Welsh businesses. It funds micro-loans, growth capital, technology investment, property development and management buy-outs across Wales.
Invest NI
2Northern Ireland's regional economic development agency.
Business Gateway Scotland
1Business Gateway is the publicly funded business support service for Scotland, delivered by Scottish local authorities. It offers free advisory support, training and DigitalBoost grants to Scottish SMEs.
DSL Business Finance
1DSL Business Finance is a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) providing loans to Scottish SMEs that cannot access mainstream bank finance, supported by the British Business Bank.
HMRC
1Administers R&D tax relief, the Patent Box and other tax incentives for UK businesses.
Innovate UK
1The UK's national innovation agency, funding business-led innovation through grants and loans.
Related themes
Continue exploring
Adjacent UK funding themes worth comparing.