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.

 
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Start Up Loans

Qudini

In June 2012, Imogen and Fraser started up their business, Qudini, a cloud-based platform that allows brands with physical locations to create positive customer experiences through queue management, appointment and event bookings, click and collect, and repair and collection management.

Start Up Loans

Christian Benedict

Christian McAleenan started his business, Christian Benedict, in February 2017. Currently operating from his home in Manchester, he provides a subscription service for shirts, where customers can sign up to have a fresh, high-quality shirt delivered to their home address every 30, 60 or 90 days.

Start Up Loans

JC Social Media

JC Social Media, founded by Jodie Cook when she was 22, turns 6 years old in August 2017. Based in Birmingham city centre, their team of 14 provide social media training and management services to local and international clients, including the likes of Nandos and Mariott Hotels.

Start Up Loans

Shakehaus

Margarita Veberaite and fellow co-founders, Josefa Celestin and Fraser Stephen launched their business, Shakehaus in April 2016. A creative video and production agency based in Edinburgh. All three partners each received funding from Start Up Loans to help them launch the business.

Start Up Loans

Pacific Quay Powerboats Glasgow

Created by John Hillis, alongside his brother Merrell and marine operations manager Terence McKibben, Pacific Quay Powerboats Glasgow offers high-speed power boat trips and water-sports on the river Clyde.

Start Up Loans

Peach Blossom

Alyssa launched her business, Peach Blossom, in March 2015. She works at the business full-time and currently employs an assistant on a part-time basis.

Start Up Loans

Dalton’s Soda Co

Founded by Duncan O’Brien, Dalston Cola was established in response to a request from an organisation to make a cola that was not Coca Cola. With most of the market saturated by the big two players or cheap imitations, Duncan noticed a serious gap in the market and created Dalston Cola to fill it. Duncan had previously worked in the hospitality industry, including in the Caribbean and with the Orient Express Company, before moving on to the food and drink industry.

Start Up Loans

40 St Pauls

Read 40 St Pauls's story and learn how Start Up Loans helped them.

Start Up Loans

Altum Designs

Altum Designs is a London based company, run by Mr. Daniel Varney. He designed, manufactured and now markets a unique and pioneering bike tool, which won a Tapei Cycle Design & Innovation award in 2017, and the business is now starting to really get off the ground.

Start Up Loans

Lifeline 24

Lifeline24 is a national telecare provider based in Norwich which supplies personal alarms to frail, elderly and disabled people living across the United Kingdom. The business was founded by Simon and his wife Treena after they noticed a gap in the market for an affordable personal alarm service which can be relied upon for excellent customer service. This arose from Simon’s position in a charity which he worked for after leaving the City of London. During his time there he had become frustrated at the amount of red tape and inflexibility of the organization.

Start Up Loans

Zeal Creative

Stewart Hilton and his partner Rob White set up Zeal Creative, a promotional marketing company, after becoming frustrated with opportunities while working as part of a larger marketing agency.

Start Up Loans

Academy ICT

Brian Stoneman secured a Start Up Loan of £6,600 in March 2017 to put towards the running of Academy ICT. The business provides IT solutions for schools via a range of different services.

Start Up Loans

HMW Personal Training

HelenMarie provides personal training and pilates through her company HMW Personal Training, which she started in October 2014.

Start Up Loans

Enlighten-Ac

Steve Wileman used funding from the Start Up Loans scheme to help co-found the eLearning consultancy business, Enlighten-Ac. Steve and his business partner Suzanne Edwards have a passion for educational solutions, and, along with their lead content developer Billy, and their technical knowledge they constantly exceed customer expectations. They offer eLearning solutions customised to each of their clients’ visions, which can include everything from course writing to augmented and virtual reality services.

Start Up Loans

Pencil & Fork

David Sanchez is the founder and owner of Pencil & Fork, a business which provides an innovative approach to learning using food. Pencil & Fork was set up in 2013 and is situated in Worcester Park in Sutton, South London.

Start Up Loans

Kleio Audio Limited

In June 2010, whilst researching headphone amplifiers, Garry Wise, spurred on by his passion for both hi-fi and music, decided to build his very own. Shortly after he began the process he decided that he wanted to go one step further and develop his own range of hi-fi components. The opportunity to combine both his passion for music and an interest in UK based manufacturing has been hugely exciting for him. Two years later Kleio was formed, with a simple objective: to design and build high-end audio which makes music enjoyable.

Start Up Loans

The Krooked Kat

Katie had a genuine interest and passion for art, carpentry and upholstery. To enhance her talents she took a number of relevant courses at Glasgow College in 2013 and 2014 to secure a series of industry-recognised qualifications. This led to her submitting a piece into the Trades House Craftex competition in 2015 and was presented with the Marie Haring Prize for exceptional work and effort. Katie leveraged her customer service experience and years of various work experience to go solo, and launched The Krooked Kat in Perth, Scotland.

Start Up Loans

Bilingual Beats

Almudena and Claudia, two childhood friends from Southern Spain, set up Bilingual Beats in October 2013. Bilingual Beats provides music language classes to children in London schools and nurseries, as well as hosting parties and family classes.