Finance options
Learn about the different finance options available to UK businesses.
Learn about our finance options
From business loans and grants to equity finance, there are a range of different types of finance available to UK businesses.
What type of financing would be suitable for your business?
If you have a growing business, there’s an external finance option to match your ambition. See what forms of finance are available for your business.
Explore finance types abouDebt finance
For smaller business owners seeking financial support, some sort of debt finance can be a desirable option.
This process involves securing funds from a financial institution and agreeing to repay the borrowed amount, along with any accrued interest, over a period of time.
Start Up Loans
Over 115,000 business ideas supported with more than £1.1 billion worth of loans. We offer low-interest personal loans and free mentoring to help you start or grow a new business.
Learn more about Start Up LoansGrowth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)
The Growth Guarantee Scheme is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme. It is designed to support access to finance for UK smaller businesses as they look to invest and grow, and was launched with accredited lenders on 1st July 2024.
Bank Referral Scheme
The Bank Referral Scheme helps businesses by referring them to the right lender when they have been unsuccessful in finding a lending facility. Learn how it can help.
Equity Finance
Equity finance involves a business owner selling shares in their business to an investor in order to raise money.
Angel Cofund
The Angel CoFund invests alongside business angels to support businesses with strong growth potential. Learn more about how the Fund works.
Our Nations and Regions Investment Funds
The Nations and Regions Investment Funds aim to foster sustainable economic development by encouraging innovation and facilitating local opportunities for both new and growing businesses throughout the UK.
Cronfa Buddsoddi i Gymru
Mae cronfa fuddsoddi gwerth £130 miliwn sydd â’r nod o sbarduno twf busnesau bach a chanolig yng Nghymru ar y trywydd i gael ei lansio yn hydref 2023.
Learn more Dysgu mwy Investment Fund for Wales
A £130 million investment fund aimed at driving the growth of smaller businesses in Wales by providing commercially focused finance through Smaller Loans, Debt Finance and Equity Finance.
Learn more about the Investment Fund for Wales
Investment Fund for Northern Ireland
A £70 million investment fund aimed at driving the growth of smaller businesses in Northern Ireland by providing commercially focused finance through Debt Finance and Equity Finance.
Learn more about the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland
Investment Fund for Scotland
A £150 million investment fund aimed at driving the growth of smaller businesses in Scotland by providing commercially focused finance through Smaller Loans, Debt Finance and Equity Finance.
Learn more about the Investment Fund for Scotland
Midlands Engine Investment Fund II
A £200 million investment fund aimed at driving the growth of smaller businesses in the South West by providing commercially focused finance through Smaller Loans, Debt Finance and Equity Finance.
Learn more about the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
A £660 million investment fund aimed at driving the growth of smaller businesses in the North by providing commercially focused finance through Smaller Loans, Debt Finance and Equity Finance.
Learn more about the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
South West Investment Fund
A £200 million investment fund aimed at driving the growth of smaller businesses in the South West by providing commercially focused finance through Smaller Loans, Debt Finance and Equity Finance.
Learn more about the South West Investment FundOur legacy programmes
Learn more about the historic programmes we've managed and their impact.
Recovery Loan Scheme
Find out about the Recovery Loan Scheme offered through accredited lenders, how it works and the key features of Recovery Loans.
Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)
Read about the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), designed to enable businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) was designed to provide financial support to smaller businesses across the UK that were losing revenue, and seeing their cashflow disrupted, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)
Read about the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, designed to support businesses whose revenue and cashflow were affected due to Covid-19.
Cornwall and Islands of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF)
Learn about the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) that provides commercially focussed finance through a Debt and Equity Fund.
Midlands Engine Investment Fund I
Learn about the Midlands Engine Investment Fund I (MEIF), that provided commercially focussed finance through Small Business Loans, Debt Finance, Proof of concept and Equity Finance funds.
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund I
Learn about the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund I (NPIF), that provided commercially focussed finance through Microfinance, Debt and Equity Finance funds.
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