Business Support Partners (FAQS)

The Start Up Loans Company works with a network of Business Support Partner organisations that support Start Up Loans applicants in all regions and industries throughout the UK. Our Business Support Partners are organisations that specialise in supporting new and existing businesses. Their role is to provide guidance to applicants in developing a business plan and cash flow forecast, assess the final loan application and provide ongoing support to Start Up Loan recipients.

All Business Support Partners comply with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidelines and are closely monitored by the Start Up Loans Company to ensure a consistent approach to lending decisions across the network. 

View the list of all the Business Support Partners that we work with.

Our Finance Provider is the organisation that administers the finance to successful applicants once approved by a Business Support Partner. Our Finance Provider is The Growth Company (formerly Business Finance Solutions). If your Start Up Loan application is successful you will be sent a copy of your Loan Agreement, which includes The Growth Company’s full contact details. You can contact them at any point after this for information on your loan status or repayment schedule.

Our Finance Provider is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is closely monitored by the Start Up Loans Company to deliver a consistent approach to supporting applicants across the network.

Your Business Support Partner will be assigned to you based on the region you live in or if you’ve applied via one of our Specialist Partners. Our Specialist Business Support Partners are X-Forces, who specialise in the Armed Forces and the King’s Trust, who specialise in young people.  

If you’ve been referred into the Scheme by a specific BSP, you will be automatically allocated to that partner.  

Please remember that although the format may vary, all our Business Support Partners can offer the same help, advice and guidance, and all loan decisions are based on the same criteria and terms, no matter what Business Support Partner you are with. 

Once you have been allocated to your Business Support Partner you will not be able to transfer to another partner.

Please remember that although the format may vary, all our Business Support Partners can offer the same help, advice and guidance, and all loan decisions are based on the same criteria and terms, no matter what Business Support Partner you are with. 

Don’t worry! If your Business Support Partner is no longer affiliated with the Start Up Loans scheme then we will assign you to a new Business Support Partner that is best placed to support you through the application process. Please contact our Customer Service team who will be able to arrange this for you and to answer any questions you might have.

Some of our Business Support Partners are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), whilst some are not. This will not have a material impact on how a Business Support Partner works with you, but it can require a different approach to raising a complaint should you wish to. You can review our complaints handling policy here.

Regulated Business Support Partners

• BEF Bradford
• BizBritain
• GC Business Finance
• DSL Business Finance
• Enterprise Loans East Midlands
• Enterprise Northern Ireland
• Let’s Do Business Finance
• NWES
• The King's Trust
• SWIG Finance

Non-regulated Business Support Partners

• SULCo’s internal Delivery Partner, The Hub
• Virgin Start Up
• X-Forces