Success stories

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.

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.

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.

Leo Winstanley founded Hand-i-Craft, based in Formby, after losing the ability to use his dominant hand and arm in a car accident. Now, it is a successful woodworking shop, stocking handmade items, finishes and accessories that are sold online.

Joel Clayton from Cambridge received a loan through delivery partner Transmit Start-Ups in 2019, which he used to establish a record label, Trapped Animal Records, with two other musicians.

Glasgow-based Victoria Nicol was 28 when she received a Start Up Loan to help grow her language translation business, My Language Connection. With loan funding supporting investment in new technology, the organisation has since gone on to triple its headcount and expand its reach to serve international clients.

Elphius Flux is an upcycling business, specialising in industrial and modern furniture. Based in Chesterfield, Jason and Gwen Hopkinson create bespoke, custom-made furniture from salvaged and reclaimed materials.

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.

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.

William Ferrieira and his business partner, William Niven started up their independent creative agency, Unbxd in September 2015.

Inga Irvine opened her art gallery, North 55 Falmouth, with the help of a £6,500 Start up Loan.

Orla Bennett along with her co-founder Holly Lander, launched Atomica Gallery in 2012 as a pop-up in Shoreditch, East London.

Katie Henry received a Start Up Loan to help develop her business Art in Offices,providing contemporary art at affordable prices to fill empty office walls.