Case Studies

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

The interest rate on Start Up Loans is changing

From the 1st April 2026 the interest rate on Start Up Loans is changing to a fixed rate of 7.5% for new applications. Eligibility criteria for a first Start Up Loan is being extended to businesses that have been trading for up to 60 months.

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

Moko Physiotherapy

Moko Physiotherapy, a Derbyshire based physiotherapy and sports massage clinic, has secured £30,000 funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, under the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, to refurbish its new premises.

Start Up Loans

Cambridge Hydrotherapy Centre

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.

Start Up Loans

Pets and Picasso

Pets and Picasso received a £25,000 loan in June this year. The community interest company (CIC), set up by Anna Corwood and her partner Luke Gash, aims to provide animal and art assisted therapy to local people living with a wide range of health conditions.

Start Up Loans

Chloe Bruce Academy

Chloe Bruce took out a loan of £12,500 to launch the Chloe Bruce Academy in 2020, a business offering virtual martial arts classes and tutorials.

Start Up Loans

Peace and Pure

Alice Wu, founder of Peace and Pure, took out her loan of £19,000 in 2020 to start the business.

Start Up Loans

Kitty’s Herbery

Siblings Albert, Betty and Minnie Alexander took out a loan of £22,000 in 2021 to launch Kitty’s Herbery, a perfumery based in Bude, Cornwall.

Start Up Loans

Seaweed & Co

Whitley Bay-based supplier of organic seaweed products Seaweed & Co, is a recipient of the Start Up Loans programme.

Start Up Loans

Ocushield

Dhruvin Patel took out a Start Up Loan of £500 through business support partner Virgin StartUp in 2015 to start his business Ocushield, an innovative line of products designed to protect eyes from the harmful blue light emitted by screens.

Start Up Loans

Mimi’s Organics

Rumbi Serima-Fowler started her business Mimi’s Organics in 2014 after struggling to find products to suit the skin of her son, who suffers from numerous allergies.

Start Up Loans

Floating Point

Providing two state of the art i-sopods, a therapy room, quiet room and space for yoga and pilates, Floating Point Float Centre is Berkshire’s only dedicated floatation therapy centre.

Start Up Loans

Goji Hair

Goji Hair is an exclusive, organic hair salon in the Pontcanna suburb of Cardiff, started by Victoria Griffin.

Start Up Loans

Shortcuts Children’s Salon

Father of two David O’Neal opened his children’s hair salon Shortcuts with the help of a Start Up Loan.

Start Up Loans

Kokoso Baby

Lauren and Mark used a Start Up Loan to help fund their growth, helping them fulfill large orders to nationwide retailers.