All owners or partners in a business can individually apply for up to £25,000 each, with a maximum loan of £100,000 available per business. The loans have a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum, across a one to five year repayment term.

In this article, we spotlight some Start Up Loans Ambassadors to show the breadth of businesses Start Up Loans supports, and how access to finance helped their businesses reach new heights.

Woof The Yorkshire Dog Shop

Natalie Press is the Founder of Woof The Yorkshire Dog Shop in Leeds. She founded the business in December 2021 for her son Toby, who has autism. Natalie wanted to create a business where he would be able to learn the job at his own pace, and be supported by the local community.

When it came to how the business used the Start Up Loan, she commented: “We used the funding to kick start our business. It took just three months from idea to opening our doors, and none of this would have been possible without access to funding.”

Discussing the milestones that have been achieved since receiving the loan, she explained: “We’ve evolved from being complete novices in pet retail to being able to speak with knowledge and conviction. We’ve developed and refined our processes, we’ve harnessed technology, we’ve experimented with what works for our business.

“It was such an honour to be invited to be the [British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans] Ambassador for Yorkshire & Humber. This role has put our business in front of lots of different industries and people we most probably would never have reached. This experience has helped grow our reputation and presence in such a short time and in a way we possibly would never have been able to replicate.”

A key milestone for the business has been the production of its own brand of dry dog food, which has been a huge and transformational decision for the business, and has provided a “massive confidence boost”.

Natalie benefitted from the business support available with her Start Up Loan: “The support truly is what makes the funding invaluable.”

H.E.R Bodywear

Alexandra Perry is the Founder of H.E.R Bodywear, a brand dedicated to empowering women through thoughtfully designed lingerie that supports them at every stage of life. Alexandra’s journey to creating H.E.R Bodywear is a deeply personal one, after experiencing the challenges that come with finding a comfortable bra post-surgery.

“I used the [Start Up Loan] funding to invest in research and development, including wearer trials, fit testing, and product development to ensure the lingerie truly meets the needs of real women,” Alexandra explained the doors that opened for the business following receipt of funding. “It also allowed me to test the market with a small production run, covering marketing, website development, and audience-building efforts. This was crucial in laying the foundation for H.E.R Bodywear and creating a brand that truly resonates with customers.”

Since receiving the funding, H.E.R Bodywear has officially launched, with thanks to that injection of funds. She was able to place the first bulk production order with a manufacturer, the website is live and she sells her products online, and has excitingly secured her first wholesale partnership which means H.E.R Bodywear products are now stocked in a retail store.

One of the biggest milestones that Alexandra has experienced since receiving the Start Up Loan was receiving funding from Innovate UK.

“The judges took my application seriously because they saw my personal investment and commitment to the business . This additional funding turned my idea into a tangible product, allowing me to scale and refine my designs even further.”

 “The idea of taking out a loan can feel daunting, but honestly, it’s not as scary as you might think.” Alexandra felt comfortable she was only borrowing what she could afford to repay, with a support worker guiding her through the process and helping her work out what was manageable.

EZ Hampers

Lisa Storey is the Founder of EZ Hampers, a sustainable gift company which sources sustainable products solely from positive impact businesses.

Lisa started the business after her career as a nurse, as she wanted to have a positive impact on her community and the environment.

Originally, the business operated out of an old chapel, but because the business wasn’t community facing, it wasn’t experiencing much footfall. After securing £10,000 through the Start Up Loans Programme, Lisa was able to secure new business premises, and is now based canal-side in Altrincham, where passers-by can visit the shop to buy individual products or make hampers.

This relocation, supported by funds received from the initial Start Up Loan, has meant that EZ Hampers has experienced a 50% increase in turnover. The move has allowed the business to grow, ensuring it can continue to offer top-quality, sustainable hampers to customers, whilst remaining front and centre in the local community.

Commenting on the success of EZ Hampers, Lisa commented: “I'm so proud of how far we have come in just one year. From increasing our turnover by 50%, to supporting local people with job opportunities, I hope my story can inspire others to take that first step in starting a business and show that with determination and the right support, anything is possible.”

Lisa has been named the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans Ambassador for the North West for 2024-25, in recognition of her hard work and the impact EZ Hampers has had locally. She said: “I was also honoured to have been named the Start Up Loans Ambassador for the North West, and I am excited to work more closely with GCBF and the British Business Bank.”

Lisa speaks highly of her experience with a Start Up Loan. “The Start Up Loan was so important for me to achieve my dreams of opening EZ Hampers and I want to show other entrepreneurs that it’s possible to set up their own business with the right support.

“This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute advice. You should always seek professional or specialist advice.

The Start-Up Loans Company, registered in England and Wales, company number 08117656, Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield S1 2GQ. A wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc (company number 08616013), a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It and its subsidiaries are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. They are not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority or the Financial Conduct Authority.”

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe