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A Start Up Loan is not a grant: questions for a London founder
The government-backed Start Up Loan route offers personal borrowing for a business purpose. Calling it funding without explaining the repayment obligation misses the most important distinction.
Understand the borrower
GOV.UK describes an unsecured personal loan between £500 and £25,000, subject to eligibility and a credit check.
Government backing does not turn it into a grant or mean the borrower has no responsibility to repay.
- Article type
- Practical guide
- Sources checked
- 21 October 2026; not live booking inventory
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Build a realistic cash-flow question
Compare the repayment schedule with a cautious forecast, not only an optimistic launch month.
Check the current rate, fees and terms directly. Mentoring support and borrowing are related parts of the offer, not substitutes for a viable plan.
Do not mistake a guide for approval
Age, location and business-history requirements apply.
This article does not recommend borrowing, assess affordability or indicate that an application would succeed. Use the official eligibility information and appropriate independent advice before taking on a personal commitment.
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