Everything went smoothly from start to finish. Our admin team and business manager Habib were incredibly helpful offering plenty of advice and support. The initial paperwork is quite extensive but if... See more
Company replied
While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more
To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more
Review summary
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
What people talk about most
Reviews shaping this summary
From the moment I applied the process was fantastic. My initial advisor was warm and friendly, anything advice I needed I was given. Once I had completed the initial assessment I was then handed ove... See more
Company replied
Very worthwhile experience. They are open to giving people an opportunity based on their business plan, rather than on a credit score. Great to be given a chance where others wouldn’t. The business pl... See more
Company replied
My advisor Suzy was excellent, always in my corner. Always explained things well and really fought my battle for me! My loan took a little longer than expected but Suzy was always reassuring and expla... See more
Company replied
Company details
Written by the company
The Start Up Loans Company was established in September 2012, with a mission to help new and early-stage UK businesses access affordable finance and mentoring support.
Contact info
Steel City House, S1 2GQ, Sheffield , United Kingdom
- www.startuploans.co.uk
4.2
Great
486 reviews
No recent history of asking for reviews
This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative
Replied to 85% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 month
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
I want to say HUGE THANK to Start Up…
I want to say HUGE THANK to Start Up Loans and News for amazing and professional service! Specially for business advisor Letitia!❤️ My application was successful because Letitia done her job perfectly! She is super professional, very mindful, kind and understandable! Also, she is very quickly as all the team. There were few questions and I had to clarify some bits, but it all were reviewed very quickly all the time! Also, business plan and other documents template are very helpful and simple! Thank you for everything!!!
July 31, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Hello there,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We are pleased to hear that you had a great experience with Start Up Loans, and we truly appreciate your shout-out to your Business Advisor (BA). It’s fantastic to know that your BA professionalism, kindness, and prompt assistance contributed to the success of your application.
We’re glad you found our templates helpful and straightforward, as we strive to make the process as smooth as possible for our customers. Your kind words mean a lot to our team!
Thank you once again for your support, and we wish you all the best in your business journey!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Advertisement
So helpful and very responsive
They have been great , helping tweak and refine the details in our plan with their questions/advice , and getting us to the point that we were ready for our loan. would highly recommend. Dawn was a star.
July 29, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Wayne,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are thrilled to hear that you found your Business Support Partner helpful and responsive. It's wonderful to know that their questions and advice helped you refine your plan and get ready for your loan. We are glad to hear that Business Advisor's efforts made a positive impact on your experience.
Thank you once again for your kind words and support.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Inderpal Singh Was very helpful and…
Inderpal Singh Was very helpful and reassuring in the whole process, helping me put forward my plan in a way that can be understood and now able to access the funds to help me start my Sunbed business. Thank you
July 12, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Thomas,
Thank you for your positive review!
We are delighted to hear that your Business Advisor was very helpful and reassuring throughout the process. It’s great to know that he assisted you in presenting your plan clearly and helped you secure the funds for your sunbed business.
Your success is our priority, and we are thrilled to have been part of your journey. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Best wishes for your new business venture!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
I am extremely happy for all the…
I am extremely happy for all the services provided by Giuseppe. He is an amazing staff in this field explaining clearly and very kind as well with the customers.
A massive Thank you to all of you and your partnerships as well for your understanding and support.
Kindest regards
Emil Iordan
July 19, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Emil,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We are thrilled to hear that you are extremely happy with the services provided by your Business Support Partner. Your kind words affirm the team's dedication to delivering clear and kind support to our customers.
We greatly appreciate your recognition of our team's efforts and our Business Support Partners. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and it’s heartening to know we have met your expectations.
Thank you once again for your kind words and support. All the best!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Terrible service
Very slow in processing the application, took 2 months to get the second stage of the process and still haven't finalised the process. They are making it difficult for beginner start ups to get the loan, which does not meet the needs of the start up companies. Also requested same documents 3 times and asking to much personal information on the what the loan is going to be spent on, at the same time the loan can't be used for multiple things related to growing a business. Not happy with how they run the process.
April 29, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Elena,
Thank you for your feedback. We sincerely apologise for the delays and any inconvenience you’ve experienced during the application process.
We understand the importance of timely processing for start-ups and are continuously working to improve our procedures. Your Business Support Partner requests documents and personal information to ensure compliance with our guidelines and to provide the best support for your business.
As a responsible lender using public funds, it is essential for our Business Support Partners to request additional documentation. The start-up loan is a personal loan, and we need to gather personal information to ensure our finance partner is lending responsibly and diligently.
Regarding the use of the loan, we aim to provide clear guidelines to help you maximise its effectiveness for your business growth. While we understand this might sometimes seem restrictive, it is necessary to ensure that the purpose of the loan is eligible under the terms of the scheme.
Your feedback is valuable to us, and we are taking steps to address these issues and improve our service. If you have any further concerns or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out directly. You can contact us at hello@startuploans.co.uk
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Advertisement
Amazing experience
Amazing experience. The team, process, and overall experience were streamlined and exceptional.
July 16, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Hello there,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with our team and process. Your feedback means a lot to us and motivates us to continue providing exceptional service.
We wish you all the very best!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Thank you Start Up Loans
They have been so helpful and kept me up to date with all the steps to complete the application to a successful result. Thank you Start Up Loans amazing team of consultants for helping me to make my dream come true - now I am the owner of my business!
July 4, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Lorenzo,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that our team and your business support partner were able to help you every step of the way to achieve a successful result.
Congratulations on becoming a business owner! We're thrilled to have been a part of making your dream come true.
Wishing you all the best in your new venture!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Stefan,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're so pleased to hear you found our team friendly, helpful, and professional. So happy to hear that you had a great experience with your business advisor.
We wish you all the very best!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Applying for a Start Up Loan (SUL)
Access and the opportunity to apply for an unsecured loan was a prime attraction recognising the need for additional funding to take the startup to the next stage.
The process took longer and was more detailed than I had anticpated but very thorough.
June 20, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Ian,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
We're glad to hear that you found our application process thorough, even though it took longer than expected. We understand the importance of detailed review to ensure the best outcomes for our applicants.
Many congratulations on securing the loan. Best of luck!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Advertisement
Great help in filling out the…
Great help in filling out the information, quick response times and friendly advisors with help in each step of the process.
June 18, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Ash,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're delighted to hear that you found your business advisor helpful and the process smooth. Many congratulations on securing the loan.
We wish you all the very best!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
No income, no loan
If you don't have a job with a regular income then don't bother applying. Despite being a startup loan you will need a job / steady income to prove affordability. Despite being profitable because I'm not taking a salary and don't have a fixed income every month they declined me. Like most Government schemes this is a shambles. My business advisor was either fired or resigned half way through (Os Morgan) and I didn't even receive any updates on my application progress. Communication was poor and the overall experience was negative. Don't waste your time.
June 17, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Michael,
Thank you for sharing your experience, and I’m sorry to hear about your frustrations.
We understand how crucial access to funding is for start-ups, and we regret that we couldn’t meet your expectations in this instance. Please note that there is no requirement to be employed to apply for a start-up loan; you can still apply even if you do not have a regular income. However, our loan approval process does include an affordability assessment, which can be challenging for some start-ups. We appreciate your feedback on this matter.
I apologise for any lapses in communication and the lack of updates from your Business Support Partner on your application progress. This does not align with our commitment to providing transparent and supportive service. Your feedback will be used constructively to address these issues internally. Please be assured that we are investigating your case thoroughly.
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your situation in more detail, please feel free to contact me directly at hello@startuploans.co.uk. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we would welcome the opportunity to address your concerns.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
X-forces are beyond a joke
X-forces are beyond a joke. The rate is good because its back by the business bank but these clowns are not bankers. Now at 4 months, still asking for the same information over and over again. in all honesty if you are a veteran don't disclose this as you will be diverted here to an offshored company. in the last 2 weeks since i have have had a new "account manager" i have provided the same documents but updated. Going to complete the journey to write about it. but thus far going to a high street would have taken 2 days.
June 15, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Rhodri,
I’m sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with your Business Support Partner X-Forces. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the delays and repeated requests for information you've encountered.
We strive to provide efficient and supportive service to all our customers, including veterans, and I regret that we fell short of your expectations. Your feedback is crucial to us, and we are actively reviewing our processes to ensure improvements are made. Your feedback will be used constructively to address these issues internally. Please be assured that we are investigating your case thoroughly.
If you would like to discuss your experience further or provide additional details, please feel free to contact me directly at hello@startuploans.co.uk. We value your input and would appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Avoid at All Costs: Terrible Experience with This Start-Up Loan Company
I had an unbelievably frustrating experience with this company that I feel compelled to share as a warning to others. Avoid this company at all costs. They wasted 3 months of my time with endless, redundant requests for information. Despite my excellent credit score, never missing a payment, and my business invoicing over 100K in just 6 months, they still refused to grant a measly 15K loan for essential equipment and licenses we needed to grow.
The entire process was a nightmare. Daniel Hughes, who was handling our case, was an absolute disaster. He was disorganized, incredibly difficult to communicate with, and kept asking for more and more information until it became unbearable. Even worse, when trying to call Daniel we kept speaking to a guy called Nathan, the situation deteriorated further. Nathan's attitude was disrespectful, unprofessional, and showed zero respect for us as clients.
We are now in the process of filing a complaint with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) because this company should not be allowed to provide such terrible service. They market themselves as providing "start-up loans," but even if your business is thriving, they will still find an excuse to deny you.
Trust the poor reviews you see about this company. I wish I had. There are plenty of better options out there. Save yourself the frustration and avoid this company at all costs. Absolutely awful experience—never again.
June 13, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Good afternoon,
I'm deeply sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with your Business Support Partner. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the difficulties you encountered throughout the loan application process. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and I assure you that we take your concerns very seriously.
I understand your frustration regarding the repeated requests for information and the challenges you faced in communication with Business Advisor. This falls far below the standard of service we aim to provide, and I apologise for any inconvenience you experienced.
We are committed to improving our processes and customer journey, and your feedback will be used constructively to address these issues internally. Please be assured that we are investigating your case thoroughly.
If you would like to discuss your experience further or provide additional details, please feel free to contact us directly at hello@startuploans.co.uk. We value your feedback and would appreciate the opportunity to make things right.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Advertisement
I can not fault how all this was dealt…
I can not fault how all this was dealt with. Always in contact with me and if anything was needing attention , it was advised before the process moved any further. Yes I was approved. Very thorough and took some work to upload all documents, but all worth it in the end. Very pleased and can not thank Akshat Garg enough for sticking with me. Thank you. 😊
June 10, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Nikki,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We are delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with us and that you found our process thorough and supportive. We strive to maintain excellent communication and ensure that all necessary steps are clear before proceeding.
Congratulations on your approval! Your dedication in uploading all the required documents paid off, and we are thrilled to have been able to assist you throughout this journey. We are grateful for your kind words.
All the very best!
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Total waste of time and effort I…
Total waste of time and effort I applied with them they initial said that everything looked good just to be asked to provide additional paper work time and time again. It went on for months. Even went out to rent a place just to give them everything that they required. All to be met with a no. Complete waste of energy and time.
June 8, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Brigitte,
I am sorry to hear about your experience and that your application was declined. We understand how frustrating it must have been for you to provide additional paperwork repeatedly, only to have your application not approved. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Our goal is to ensure that every application is thoroughly reviewed to meet the necessary requirements, which can sometimes result in additional documentation being needed. We recognise that this process can be time-consuming, and we are actively working to streamline it to better serve our customers.
We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve our processes. You are welcome to reapply after six months. In the meantime, please contact Business Support helpline at 0800 998 1098 and they will be able to sign post you to other funding options. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to email us at hello@startuploans.co.uk.
Thank you for your understanding and for bringing this to our attention.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Letitia business adviser was an…
Letitia business adviser was very rude and picky. Avoid this government backed company like the plague. Absolutely disgraceful customer service from Letitia and no suggestions or advice was given. Simply ruined my chance to get a start up loan. What an absolute kick in the face. Am now going to Barclays!!!!!
June 5, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Kamruz,
I'm truly sorry to hear about your disappointing experience with your business advisor. Providing exceptional customer service is our priority, and it's regrettable that we failed to meet your expectations.
Your feedback is invaluable to us, and I want to assure you that we take it seriously. If you're unsatisfied with the service received from the BSP, I encourage you to raise your concerns directly with them. Alternatively, you can contact us at hello@startuploans.co.uk, and we'll be more than happy to assist you in addressing your concerns.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
bad company funded by a bad company
hello this company is funded my GC finance which ive left a lenthy review too so ive got a loan through start up loans it took about 3 months to complete going back and forth but what was worring about it was that they seemed more worried about my staff who had a loan out with them but recently lost his small business due to there family member dying pretty much using me to get to them as if im a debt collector which is extremely unprofressional but i pushed it aside and carried on got the loan couple months go by and i missed a few payments and ive been going back and forth trying to pay them back this is through GC finance for about 2 week ive been ringing them daily on hold for 1hr each day that is 14hrs wasted trying to pay it back
May 31, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Reece,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you faced with your finance provider, GC Business Finance. It's understandable that waiting on hold for an hour can be frustrating. To address this, I recommend reaching out to GC Business Finance directly via email at bfsul@growthco.uk to request a call back.
Alternatively, you can contact our customer service team at hello@startuploans.co.uk, and we'll facilitate a warm transfer to GC Business Finance for you.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Advertisement
Apply but set very low expectations
Today I received an automated email stating:
"Your Start Up Loan application has now expired, as we were unable to make a full assessment of your application in 90 days"
Credit checked were passed and after two weeks the business plan had no outstanding information.
The irony is that one month ago I asked the business partner about updates and that I was concerned about reviews of applicants waiting 3-6 months for a decision. They told me that they have never had an application take that long.
I was told to take assurance that they are a senior underwriter and that things will move quickly after a meeting with credit team that they are waiting to hear from.
Surprise, surprise, my application has no lapsed and all previously submitted information are invalid.
I would encourage anyone to apply but set extremely low expectations. Have a plan B. If you apply with the view to capitalise on a opportunity in the next 3-6 months, pursue other avenues as well.
It's shocking that applications for small amounts of funding that are not grants or business loans but personal loans take lots of paper work and months to receive a decision. Either the credit team is under recoursed or have ancient and slow business processes.
May 31, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Hello there,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We deeply apologise for any inconvenience and frustration you encountered during your Start Up Loan application process.
We understand how disheartening it can be when expectations are not met, especially when it involves something as important as financing for your business. While we strive to provide efficient and timely service to all our applicants, it seems we fell short of this commitment in your case, and for that, we are truly sorry.
It's important for us to clarify that while we aim to complete the process within 8 weeks, sometimes it may take longer, depending on various factors such as the complexity of the application and the thoroughness required in assessing it. Our Business Support Partners (BSPs) are dedicated to ensuring responsible lending practices, which involve carefully evaluating the viability of your business and the affordability of the loan.
Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we take it seriously. If you have any concerns about the service provided by your BSP, we encourage you to communicate them directly. Alternatively, you can reach out to our customer service team at hello@startuploans.co.uk, and we will do everything we can to address your concerns and assist you further.
Once again, we apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Wasting time
A complete waste of time and resources. They ask for extensive documentation and waste your time:
1. Credit check before anything else, which will dramatically reduce your credit ASAP!
2. They ask for the following:
- Survival budget
- Business plan
- Financial projection
- Bank statements
- Proof of ID
- Proof of income
Then they start communicating with you, which takes more than 3 months. Sometimes, they don't respond for over a month. Then they ask for ANOTHER CREDIT CHECK!!! This means your credit is already destroyed.
Plus your business idea with full documentation is exposed, god knows how many people will have acees to it.
Then they will say no and ask you to prove this and that, etc. THEIR LOAN IS IN YOUR NAME, NOT FOR YOUR BUSINESS, SO IT IS A PERSONAL LOAN!!
If you have good credit, just go to your bank’s mobile app and ask for a car loan. It takes 5 minutes, and the money is in your bank within 24 working hours. Then loan your business yourself.
They just collect data for their subsidiary company or the advisors to use these data and ideas. God knows how they monetize these ideas. They are looking for individuals who have good credit.
May 15, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Dana,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we apologise for the frustration and inconvenience you encountered during the application process.
We understand your concerns regarding the extensive documentation required and the time it takes for our communication and decision-making process. We are continuously reviewing our procedures to streamline the process and minimise delays.
Regarding the credit check, we conduct this as part of our responsible lending practices to assess your financial situation and ensure that the loan is affordable for you. Please note that Start Up Loan is designed to support individuals who may have difficulty securing finance from traditional lenders. We offer more flexibility with credit checks to ensure accessibility for aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are able to get a loan from a high street lender, you may not be eligible to apply for a start-up loan. You can review our eligibility criteria here. https://www.startuploans.co.uk/am-i-eligible/
Your feedback regarding the exposure of your business idea and the handling of personal information is taken seriously. We prioritise the security and confidentiality of our applicants' data and are committed to safeguarding it throughout the application process. You can view our privacy policy here. https://www.startuploans.co.uk/privacy-policy/
While our loans are indeed in the applicant's name, we aim to support businesses and entrepreneurs in achieving their goals. We will review our communication to ensure clarity on this matter.
We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve our processes and services. If you have any further concerns or would like to discuss your experience in more detail, please feel free to contact us directly at hello@startuploans.co.uk.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we wish you success in your future endeavours.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
Awful process
As expected with any government backed organisation and scheme, this is such a waste of time. You spend valuable time creating an A+ business plan with tons of market research, backed up theory and existing performance data. End up waiting weeks for a response to your case and get feedback requesting 'additional information' that could be found on page 1 of the business plan.... Extremely poor evaluation of your hard work and seriously lazy case handlers asking numerous pointless questions that you've extensively covered. BEST ADVICE - Don't waste your time applying for this loan. Take out a personal loan using your credit score instead!
May 10, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Sam,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We sincerely apologise for the frustration and inconvenience you’ve encountered during the application process.
We understand how disheartening it can be to put in significant effort only to face delays and additional requests for seemingly redundant information. As part of our commitment to improving our services, your Business Support Partner can investigate your concerns and address them directly. We recommend reaching out to them and expressing your concerns, as they are dedicated to ensuring a smooth and efficient process for all applicants.
Please note that, as a government-backed scheme, our process can indeed take up to 8 weeks. This timeline accounts for the thorough review and compliance checks necessary to ensure that all applications meet the required standards. We recognise that this can be a lengthy process and are continuously working to make it more efficient.
Your feedback is invaluable, and we are committed to making improvements based on your experience. If you have any further concerns or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team at hello@startuploans.co.uk.
Kind regards,
Saj, Start Up Loans Customer Service Team
The Trustpilot Experience
Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.
We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.
Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.
Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.
Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.
Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.