Success stories

We've already helped tens of thousands of individuals to start and grow their business. Learn how with our library of success stories.

We've already helped tens of thousands of individuals to start and grow their business. Read on for the full story on some of our most inspiring loan recipients: why they became their own boss, the challenges they faced and overcame along the way and how a Start Up Loan helped them to achieve their dreams.

 
Filter success stories
Filter Close filters
Filter success stories
Finance type
Sector
Nation/Region
Programme
Partner
Start Up Loans

hiSbe

Brighton sisters, Amy and Ruth Anslow, founded their independent supermarket, hiSbe, with the help of Start Up Loans.

Start Up Loans

Just Eat for Business

Stuart Sunderland started his business Just Eat for Business with a friend, a service delivering street food to businesses, with the help of a £10,000 Start Up Loan.

Start Up Loans

B-Tempted

Sarah Hilleary has always been motivated by the personal rewards of being her own boss, and this lead her to start gluten free snack company Birubi Ltd.

Start Up Loans

The Paddock

Laura Burlison from Northumberland received her Start Up Loan 18 months ago and used it to start 'The Paddock – Fresh Food Delivered from the Land to your Hand.'

Start Up Loans

Office Pantry

Office Pantry deliver snack packs and fresh fruit to offices right across the UK, with an optional honesty box for school staff rooms and companies on tight budgets.

Start Up Loans

Thornley’s

Gail Brown started her natural food business, Thornleys, in May 2013 with the help of a Start Up Loan.

Start Up Loans

KupKase

With Kupkase it’s personal. They’re not just a pretty cake.

Start Up Loans

Caffe Venecia

Tony Singh was unemployed before starting his own business, Caffe Venecia, in the centre of Huddersfield in November 2013.

Start Up Loans

Bird & Blend Tea Co.

Mike Turner and his partner Krisi started their Brighton-based tea mixology company, Bird & Blend Tea Co., with the help of a Start Up Loan.

Start Up Loans

Claudi & Fin

Lucy & Meriel both received a Start Up Loan of £7,000 for their frozen yoghurt ice lolly business Claudi & Fin.

After winning the ‘PitchUp to Sainsbury’s’ competition in 2013, the lollies are now stocked in over 700 stores across the UK and Ireland. We spoke to co-founder Lucy Woodhouse about her startup experience of finding workspace and how it has changed as the business has developed.

Start Up Loans

How I started selling abroad – Seaweed & Co

Seaweed & Co, was founded by Craig Rose with the help of a Start Up Loan. Based in North Shields, this international seaweed seller is all about what Craig describes as ‘the most exciting superfood around.’

Start Up Loans

Yuyo discuss rebranding their business

Yuyo is planning to change the way the UK enjoys hot drinks. Founders Rosie and Charles were inspired by their experiences of drinking yerba mate, a South American herbal infusion, while travelling the continent together.