Success stories

Hannah Ballinger from Gloucestershire used a £5,000 Start Up Loan, provided through BizBritain, to found Dreams Come True Parties. Hannah dresses up as one of seven well known princesses to bring a touch of magic and sparkle to any children’s event across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

A Gen Z 23-year-old hotel worker is embarking on her own hospitality venture, after securing funding to purchase and restore a rustic shepherd’s hut on the North Coast 500.

Aimee Plumb, founder of Cambridge Hydrotherapy Centre, is a Start Up Loans recipient. In October 2021, Aimee took out a loan of £2,500 via Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services when she was 19 years old. The company, based in Great Abington in Cambridge, offers hydrotherapy for dogs, to help them through the rehabilitation process by building muscle and easing pain.

Louis Watkins, 23, from Newport, founded his business Clear For Men. Clear For Men is a men’s mental health awareness and online skincare brand, encouraging men to ‘take five’ through their daily cleansing routine.

Tom Newey, aged 22 helped start his business with a Start Up Loan. Established in 2020, his award-winning dessert business, Layers Treats offers handmade Belgian chocolate treats for all occasions

Francis Harwood, founder of Limitless is a Start Up Loans recipient. Francis took out his first loan of £10,000 via Let’s Do Business group when he was 23 years old. He took out a second loan of £5,000 in October 2023, when he was 24 years old.

Padraig Murphy, aged 24, is just one of the loan recipients in Northern Ireland aged under 25, who has taken his dream business and turned it into a reality.

William Tansley, aged 24, recently received £15,000 in September 2023 as part of the Start Up Loans programme for his family-run professional cleaning and restoration business, Revive Pro.

Cory Hibbin, aged 20, is just one of these recipients. He took out a loan in March 2023 of £14,500 to launch Techie Services. The company, based in Hastings, offers security solutions for residential clients, estates and corporate buildings, including CCTV, alarm systems and network management.

Joel Jones, 24, from Cornwall applied for a £20,000 Start Up Loan, provided through SWIG Finance, to convert a classic VW campervan into a mobile cocktail bar and launch his business, The Mixer, aimed at weddings and parties.

Blake Bentley, aged 22, took out a £5,000 loan for his business, The Scran Man, in March 2021.The business, based in Great Barr in Birmingham, is dedicated to bringing customers authentic, fresh and tasty American street food such as Philly cheesesteaks, fried chicken and signature burgers.

In 2023, with the help of a £10,000 loan from Start Up Loans, my manifestations came into fruition and Filmmaking Planner was born.

Lords Automotive, a mobile car detailing company based in Worcestershire, has landed £13,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme

Worcester based Murcott Energy is an engineering company that designs and produces small wind turbines for temporary power application.

Former RAF Senior Aircraftman Emma Swiggs opened the Dandelion Coffee House thanks to a £6000 Start Up Loan from X-Forces Enterprise.

Naked Ape Brands received their two Start Up Loans via SWIG Finance and were first attracted to taking out a Start Up Loan because it is government backed.

Aitanna set up her business in 2022 and took out a Start Up Loan of £14,500 this year to expand it due to its success.

Rik is a chef with more than 22 years of experience and a background in human nutrition and psychology. The business was started as a chance for him to explore why veganism isn’t as accessible as it could be and what the barriers are to preventing people from taking up the lifestyle