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
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Review summary
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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
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The lady Jane Cusse was very…
Jane was very professional, polite and extremely helpful. We will certainly look to build on the working relationship. Thank you for your help
14 January 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Tom,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback about your experience with Start Up Loans.
We are delighted to hear that you are satisfied with the level of service provided to you by Jane and we will be sure to notify her of your feedback.
Congratulations on securing funding and we wish you the best on your endeavours!
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Very Satisfied
Was my first time applying for a loan. The help and support was amazing. I was given professional advice every step .I was never messed around or made to believe is impossible.
Their instructions were clear,helpful and effective. Thank you so much to these team of professionals .
5 January 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Hair by Alketa,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback.
We are elated to hear that you are very satisfied with the level of support and guidance provided to you throughout your application.
Our aim is to ensure that our process is as clear and efficient as possible and are happy to hear that we were able to assist in providing you with finance for your business.
We wish you the best on your endeavours!
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
I had an absolutely outstanding…
I had an absolutely outstanding experience with Rekha. From the very beginning, it felt like someone genuinely cared about us and our situation. For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel like just another number or a box to tick. Rekha went above and beyond to provide support, guidance, and reassurance throughout the process.
Her professionalism, empathy, and dedication were exceptional. She took the time to understand our needs and made everything feel personal and tailored, which is rare these days. Thanks to her efforts, what could have been a stressful experience turned into something smooth and positive.
I cannot recommend Rekha highly enough – she is a true credit to her profession and an absolute star!
17 December 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Agnieszka,
We appreciate you taking the time to leave us some feedback.
It is truly delightful to hear about your outstanding experience with Rekha.
Your kind words about her professionalism, empathy, and dedication mean a great deal to us and it’s wonderful to hear that her support helped turn what could have been a stressful process into a smooth and positive one.
We will be sure to pass on your feedback to Rekha!
Thank you again for your trust and for sharing your experience, it really does mean a lot to us.
All the best on your business endeavours,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Very supportive
Very supporting after initial application but some clarification prior to submitting initial details could help streamline the process.
15 December 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Stuart,
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re pleased to hear that you felt well supported during your application.
We also really appreciate your suggestion regarding clearer guidance before submitting the initial details as this could be used to improve our services and make our processes more efficient from the beginning.
Thank you again for sharing your experience, as it helps us continue to improve.
Kindest
Cynthia,
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Tai,
Thank you for your feedback.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share it and are glad to hear you were pleased with the support and guidance provided by your business support partner.
All the best on your business endeavours.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Very easy to deal with and helpful
Very easy to deal with and helpful
4 December 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Sean,
Thank you for leaving us some feedback.
We are happy to hear our application was efficient and effective and wish you the very best with your business.
Kind regards,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
My advisor Suzy was excellent
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 explained things in great detail! I couldn’t recommend her or Start up loans anymore!
28 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Drew,
Thank you for leaving us your review.
We are extremely pleased to hear about your experience with Suzy and the support she provided throughout your Start Up Loan journey.
It’s great to know that you had someone in your corner, who took the time to explain everything clearly, even when the process took a little longer than you expected.
Your recommendation truly means a lot to both Suzy and the wider Start Up Loans team.
Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we wish you every success with your business moving forward.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Excellent organisation
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent service I received throughout my loan application process. The company has been truly outstanding, demonstrating professionalism, efficiency, and clear communication at every stage.
I would especially like to acknowledge Christianah Alokan for her exceptional support. She was consistently helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive, making the entire process smooth and reassuring. Working with her has been a pleasure, and I am genuinely grateful for her guidance.
Thank you once again for the high-quality service and the positive experience.
28 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Panagiotis,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback.
We are extremely pleased to see how your advisor -Christianah, supported you throughout your application.
Our aim is to ensure all our applicants receive clear and efficient communication and we are delighted you were able to experience this.
We wish you the best on your business journey.
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start-Up Loans Company
Wonderful experience
Wonderful experience, amazing advisor that helped me through this process.
19 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Sylenze Ltd,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback.
We are delighted to hear that you appreciated the service provided to you by your advisor, please do let us know their name and we will be sure to pass this on.
We wish you the best on your endeavours,
Kindest
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start-Up Loans Company
Takes time when you not organised ;)
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 you organise yourself and have your business plan in place it all works out. Thank you so much! Our journey begins now. :)
18 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Gosia,
Thank you for leaving us some feedback.
We will be sure to refer your review to Habib, to let him know how his support has helped you with securing funding for your business!
Your journey does begin now and I wish you the absolute best with it!
Kindest
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start-Up Loans Company
Deeply Disappointing Experience - A System That Fails Founders
I rarely write negative reviews, but my experience with Virgin StartUp has been so disheartening that I feel an obligation to warn other entrepreneurs.
What was promised as a 4–6 week support process turned into 16 weeks of silence, delays and confusion. My advisor repeatedly took 15–20 days to reply, often asking for the exact same documents I had already supplied a clear indication that my application was not being read or properly handled.
Despite providing a full business plan, financials, supplier agreements and trading history, there was no meaningful engagement, no guidance, and no real support. Even worse, my project was poorly represented - if at all - to the lender, which left me feeling completely ignored.
Throughout this entire process, I acted professionally, met every deadline, and provided every requested document immediately. Yet I was met with indifference and an overwhelming sense that my application was being pushed aside with no accountability.
This experience has not only wasted months of my time - it has affected my business operations, my suppliers, and my growth plans. Startups rely on momentum, and this process did the opposite:
it drained my momentum, my motivation, and my trust in a system that claims to support founders.
If this is the level of “support” offered, then aspiring entrepreneurs deserve far better. No founder should be made to feel invisible as they try to build something meaningful.
17 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Mert,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback.
We are extremely saddened to hear of your experience with Virgin Start Up.
Our aim is to ensure that all of our customers feel supported and well informed during their application to promote transparency and guidance.
We would like to further investigate your concerns and would encourage you to reach out via email on: hello@startuploans.co.uk or telephone 03442642600
Kindest
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
I could not recommend Muhammad enough
I could not recommend Muhammad strongly enough. He has been an incredible source of support throughout the entire application process. His competence and expertise were truly invaluable. He took the time to explain the importance of specific details I needed to include in my application and guided me through each step with patience and clarity. I am grateful for his help, which ultimately contributed to a successful outcome.
Muhammad’s dedication and professionalism made a significant difference, and I’m very thankful for all his support.
22 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Inga,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a positive review of your experience with your advisor.
We will be sure to notify him how his support has helped you to secure funding for your business.
We wish you the best of luck with your business!
Best,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Habib was fantastic
Habib was fantastic, he was considerate and worked with us and more importantly took great interest in the business
14 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Jagjeet,
We appreciate you leaving us some feedback.
Congratulations on being approved for funding!
We will be sure to notify Habib of the great support he has provided to you!
All the best on your business endevours,
Kindest
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Amazing process and team
The process is a masterclass in business planning and incredibly valuable, no matter the outcome. The whole team are proactive, knowledgeable and an absolute pleasure to work with. I'd like to especially mention John, Sarah and Michele and thank them for their ongoing support. I cannot recommend them enough.
12 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Samantha,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback.
We appreciate your comment on business planning as we aim to provide guidance and knowledge on the factors to consider whilst entrepreneurs embark on their journey.
We will be sure to pass this onto John, Sarah and Michele.
All the best with your business.
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Vasantha,
Thank you for your feedback.
We appreciate your feedback and wish you the absolute best with your business endeavours!
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
Start Up Loans Company
bad experience
Unfortunately, my experience with this organisation has been very disappointing. Despite their advertising about efficient and supportive processes, the reality is quite the opposite. The process is extremely slow, and staff often show little care or urgency.
They promise updates within seven working days, but in my case, it has been several weeks even months without a single proper response to my emails.
Overall, the level of professionalism and communication is far below expectations. I would not recommend this organisation to startups or founders seeking timely funding or business support. You’re much better off reaching out directly to lenders or other startup support agencies.
3 November 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Iman,
Thank you for your feedback.
We apologize for the delay in contact throughout the duration of your application.
Your concern is important to us and we would like to look into this further. Please reach out to us via email: hello@startuploans.co.uk or telephone: 03442642600.
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
The process is smooth and easy to understand and to follow. The work by the advisor especially Samuel Okide was impressive, professionally. Very thankful.
I wish to express my deepest appreciation to Samuel Okide for his assistance and professionalism during my application process. All information has been explained clearly and presented smoothly, with all processes functioning flawlessly without any complications. His communication facilitated an effortless and comprehensible procedure.
I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to advance through this program and further grow my business with the assistance of the Start-Up Loans team.
31 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Customer,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review.
We appreciate your gratitude to our application process and are delighted that we could be a part of your journey.
We will be sure to pass your appreciation for your business advisor Samuel!
All the best with your business.
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
From the moment I applied the process was seamless
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 over to Jane my loan specialist. Don’t get me wrong there is no messing round when it comes down to assessment of personal bank statements. However this is dealt with professionally and with decency. Jane was FDA basic from start to finish, always available and even went as far as responding to me when she was off on leave. I can’t thank her enough. Thankyou Jane.
27 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Nate,
Thank you for leaving us a review.
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your application process with your advisor Jane!
We will be sure to pass this review on to Jane and wish you the best of luck on your application!
All the best with your business!
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start-Up Loans Company
Poorly organised
Poorly organised, no respect for someone's time and overall unprepared staff.
30 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Saher,
We thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback.
Our aim is to ensure each applicant feels valued for the time taken to submit their application and hope to provide transparency and guidance in relation to their business.
We are sorry that this was not your experience and are keen to investigate why this has happened.
Please do reach out to us, so we can further investigate this on: hello@startuploans.co.uk or 03442642600
Kindest,
Cynthia
Customer Service Advisor
The Start Up Loans Company
A great way to start a business with a…
A great way to start a business with a fair interest percentage, unfortunately the limit might not be enough for some kind of business.
28 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Start Up Loans
Dear Milton,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback and congratulations on being approved for funding!
We do understand that our maximum may be insufficient for some business types, however, we do offer a second loan which you can check your eligibility six months after you have received your first loan.
I would encourage you to check at a later stage, if you would be interested in further funding later down the line, with us on: hello@startuploans.co.uk
All the best with your business!
Regards
Cynthia
The Start-Up Loans Company
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