🚀 Apply for £10k+ grants with our Startup Launch Kit

Learn More

Get Support

National Grants

National Grants Get My Funding Pack How To Apply Eligibility Create Business Plan Preparation For Grants Get Support

Last update 19/07/2025

Request a call

2025 Grants & Government‑Backed Loans for Startups in Croydon (UK‑Wide Guide)

Introduction

Croydon is a vibrant hub for startups and small businesses. This guide outlines the latest local support schemes and national loan programmes available in 2025. All links are official and fully visible.

Local Council Support

🔹 Croydon Council Business Support

Offers grants, loans, business advice, and digital training through programmes like Grow London Local and Croydon Business Support Programme (Startup Grant, croydon.gov.uk)
Contact: 020 8760 5000; details at the Business Support page (croydon.gov.uk)

🔹 Start-Up Croydon

A charity-backed initiative offering a 3-day business starter course, mentoring, co-working spaces, and finance bootcamps (croydon.gov.uk)
Contact: info@startupcroydon.co.uk | 020 3747 4747; at Weatherill House Business Centre, 23 Whitestone Way (croydon.gov.uk)

🔹 UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

Croydon received £833k for district centre regeneration and business support (Young Entrepreneurs Academy, skills, events) to March 2025 (Develop Croydon)

National Government‑Backed Loan Schemes

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Amount: £500–£25,000
Fixed 6% APR with 12-month mentoring
Apply via https://www.gov.uk/apply-start-up-loan

🔹 Recovery Loan Scheme / Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Previously offered large-scale finance; both are now closed to new applicants

Other Local & National Funding

Community & VC funding via Start-Up Croydon events such as finance bootcamps (Startup Grant, startupcroydon.co.uk)
Coast to Capital SME Grants (2015 example): £15k–£100k capital funding—check current equivalents (Newsroom)
Social Investment Business: loans and grants for social enterprises (Wikipedia)
Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG): supports bank loans up to £1m

Eligibility Guidance

Council programmes: open to Croydon-registered businesses; some target specific sectors (e.g. evening economy, youth-run ventures) (croydon.gov.uk)
Start-Up Loans: UK resident founders with viable business concepts and acceptable credit
UKSPF projects: designed for local regeneration, enterprise support, and youth initiatives

Application Process

Select the appropriate support (local course, grant, loan).
Prepare documentation: business plan, forecasts, premises details, credit checks.
Apply via council websites (Croydon Council or Start-Up Croydon) or GOV.UK (for Start-Up Loans).
Attend workshops, mentoring sessions, or bootcamps as applicable.
Await decisions and follow through with reporting or mentorship obligations.

Additional Tips

Stay connected via Croydon’s business newsletters and UKSPF updates (croydon.gov.uk, Develop Croydon, Startup Grant)
Join finance bootcamps and networking events run by Start-Up Croydon (startupcroydon.co.uk, startupcroydon.co.uk)
Build out your pitch to qualify for grant programmes like those from Coast to Capital or social investors

Contact & Further Information

Croydon Council Business Support: 020 8760 5000; Business Support page (croydon.gov.uk)
Start-Up Croydon: info@startupcroydon.co.uk; 020 3747 4747; startupcroydon.co.uk (croydon.gov.uk)
UKSPF funding: via council regeneration and entrepreneurship priorities (Wikipedia)
Start‑Up Loans: https://www.gov.uk/apply-start-up-loan

FAQs

▫️ What support does Croydon Council offer?
Grants, loans, digital support, business mentoring, and district centre regeneration via UKSPF (croydon.gov.uk, Develop Croydon)

▫️ How can I attend Start‑Up Croydon courses or bootcamps?
Subscribe to their website or social channels; recent dates include finance bootcamps in 2025 (startupcroydon.co.uk, startupcroydon.co.uk)

▫️ How do I apply for a Start‑Up Loan?
Via GOV.UK; funding includes mentoring and business coaching.

▫️ Are Recovery or Bounce Back Loans still available?
No — both schemes are now closed to new applicants.

▫️ What is UKSPF’s role in Croydon?
It funded £833k towards local regeneration, youth enterprise, and business support through to March 2025 (Startup Grant, Develop Croydon)

▫️ Who can apply for council programmes like Grow London Local?
Local MSMEs and entrepreneurs across Croydon, check the Croydon Council Business Support page (croydon.gov.uk, Startup Grant)

Value AD

2025

100% FREE

BUSINESS TOOl

What is Value Ad?

Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.

How is it a Win-Win Deal?

For New Businesses:

Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.

Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.

For Service Providers:

Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.

Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.

Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.

Alternative Investment for New Businesses:

For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.

Benefits for Service Providers:

Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:

Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.

Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.

Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.

In Summary:

Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.

FREE BUSINESS TOOLS