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Introduction
According to the 2025 AIN Founder Survey by the Angel Investment Network, two-thirds (67%) of UK startup founders are over the age of 45 and the split across all age groups is 76% male vs. 24% female. The fact that the majority of startup founders tend to be older, dispels the long held stereotype that entrepreneurs need to be young 20-somethings in order to be successful in setting up a new business.
Entrepreneurs stated that the top reasons for starting a business were as follows:
- 45% of individuals had a passion for an activity that they wanted to turn into a commercial idea
- 21% identified a gap in the market that they felt they could exploit
- 14% of survey respondents want to achieve financial freedom that they felt a regular job could not give them
The survey also identified that only 33% of entrepreneurs carried out sufficient due diligence when looking into potential investors and doing full background reference checks, 29% only carried out a low level check involving LinkedIn and website research and 37% only did a quick superficial search or no research at all.
In terms of securing funding, 54% of entrepreneurs stated that around 1 in 10 of investor meetings end up resulting in actual investment. Around 70% stated that the most important investment lesson was to prepare for rejection on a regular basis, 61% stated that resilience and persistence is important for securing finance and 54% said that it was important to keep pitches to investors clear and concise.
Start-ups and entrepreneurs looking to set-up a new business can access finance in the form of grants and support in the form of expert advice, training and consultancy in their local area primarily from local authorities and business enterprise support organisations. A significant amount of funding has been released for 2025-2026 as part of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) aimed at promoting creation of new businesses and generating jobs in every region across the UK.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Starting a Business Funding Opportunities Available?
i) The Start Line
Dorset Council and Evolve are running a UK Shared Prosperity Fund backed programme for start-ups, which includes workshops, one-to-one support, practical tools and networking opportunities. The scheme is designed for individuals who want to test and shape their ideas, gain confidence and identify the next steps. Participants will be able to access grants to support early-stage business activity. Funding up to £4,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Start Up Grant
The King’s Trust is running a UK-wide scheme where start-ups can become a supported business by The Trust or are in the three-years of Business Advance support from The Trust and can apply for a grant to kickstart their business. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Derbyshire Business Start-Up Grant Scheme
Derbyshire County Council is running a UK Shared Prosperity Fund scheme that aims to support those wanting to set up their own business in the county. The scheme includes mentoring business and financial planning, marketing strategy support, signposting to other suitable sources of support and up to £10,000 grant funding. Additionally, smaller grants of up to £500 are available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Start-up Grant
Business Doncaster has funding available for new and early-stage businesses. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding will help create new employment opportunities, develop new products, processes, or services. Funding up to £2,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Business Start-up Fund
Bridgend County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise is running a scheme providing financial assistance to new or existing micro-businesses that are located in Bridgend County Borough or are planning to relocate there. Eligible costs can include, capital and computer equipment, building works and website development. Funding up to £4,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) New Business Start-Up Grant
Renfrewshire Council is running a scheme providing funding towards the start-up costs for a new business. Eligible expenditure can include rent, business equipment, IT needs and website development. To be eligible for this grant, the applicant should be working with the council’s Business Gateway advisors and attend at least three of the council’s start-up workshops. Funding up to £1,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Business Start-Up Scheme
Isle of Man Department for Enterprise is running a scheme that aims to support new start-ups or businesses trading for less than 18 months, with an actual or predicted turnover between £25,500 and £100,000 within the first 12 months of trading. Funding of up to £6,000 is available as a reimbursement grant, living allowance or combination of both. Enhanced funding of up to £15,000 is available for key sectors including exporting businesses and childcare providers. Additionally, further assistance of up to £10,000 is available to support job creation.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Business Lincolnshire Start-Up Grant
Business Lincolnshire has a scheme that aims to help businesses in Greater Lincolnshire to start and grow. Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, business tools, computers, and equipment, product development and market research and marketing and advertising. Funding up to £500 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Starting a Business Funding Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested individuals and businesses can speak to start-up funding advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Starting a Business Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK starting a business funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/