For UK limited companies
How UK Businesses Can Access Up To £2 Million Through The Growth Guarantee Scheme
Government-backed finance to take on the bigger contract, buy the vans and machinery, hire ahead of the work or move into bigger premises.
About 60 seconds · No documents · No obligation
- Up to £2 million through one government-backed scheme.
- Buy the vans and machinery that let you take on more.
- Hire ahead of the work, not after it.
- Fund the bigger contract before it pays.
- Turn unpaid invoices into cash.
- Move into bigger premises.
- What would yours pay for? Keep reading.
3 big reasons to look at the Growth Guarantee Scheme
- 1
Up to £2 million to grow
From £1,000 to £2 million per business group, across five types of finance, for any legitimate business purpose.
- 2
70% government backing
The guarantee goes to the lender, so accredited lenders can support more viable businesses than they otherwise would.
- 3
You keep your business
It’s finance, not investment, so you give up no ownership. Your main home can’t be taken as security under the scheme.
What could you do with it?
Take on a bigger contract
Fund the staff and stock it needs before it pays.
Buy vans, kit and machinery
Asset finance starts from £1,000 and can run for up to 6 years.
Hire ahead of the work
Bring people in before you’re stretched, not after.
Stop waiting on invoices
Invoice finance releases cash tied up in what you’re owed.
Expand your premises
Make room for the next stage of the business.
Smooth out your cash flow
As long as the business can afford the repayments.
About 60 seconds · No documents · No obligation
We know what you’re thinking
It’s a big promise, so here are straight answers to the questions you’re probably asking.
- “This sounds too good to be true.”
- Fair. It’s a real scheme, run by the British Business Bank on behalf of the government. It isn’t free money though: you repay everything, plus any interest and fees.
- “Isn’t this just for businesses in trouble?”
- No. Businesses in difficulty can’t use it. It’s for viable businesses that want to invest and grow.
- “My business is too small or too new.”
- Asset and invoice finance start from £1,000, and term loans from £25,001. Start-ups can apply too, at the lender’s discretion.
- “I’ve already been turned down.”
- A past refusal isn’t one of the listed scheme criteria, and you don’t need to be an existing customer of a lender. It doesn’t guarantee anything, because each lender makes its own decision.
- “Will I have to put my house on the line?”
- Your main home can’t be taken as security under the scheme. A lender may still ask for a personal guarantee, in line with its normal practice.
- “What’s the catch on cost?”
- Tally is free to use. Interest and fees are set by each lender and vary, so check them before you accept anything. If we make an introduction, we may receive a commission.
- “It’ll be a mountain of paperwork.”
- The check takes about 60 seconds with no documents. If you take it further, expect a lender to ask for more, as with any finance.
Why it works: the 70% guarantee
A lender can only lend as far as it can afford to be wrong. The scheme changes that sum, and it’s simple.
- 1
A lender offers the finance
Using its own money and its own credit checks. The government doesn’t lend to you.
- 2
The government guarantees 70%
If the facility goes wrong, after normal recovery, the lender is covered for 70% of the outstanding balance.
- 3
The lender can go further
With less at risk, accredited lenders can support more viable smaller businesses than they otherwise would.
- Say your business borrows £100,000.
- If it goes wrong, the government covers £70,000 of the lender’s loss.
- So the lender only risks the other £30,000.
- Less risk means lenders can back more viable businesses.
- Important: you still repay the full amount, like any finance.
The terms, in full
Term loans
£25,001 to £2M
3 months to 6 years
Planned investment and expansion
Overdrafts
£25,001 to £2M
3 months to 3 years
Day-to-day flexibility
Asset finance
£1,000 to £2M
3 months to 6 years
Vans, kit and machinery
Invoice finance
£1,000 to £2M
3 months to 3 years
Cash tied up in unpaid invoices
Asset-based lending
£1,000 to £2M
3 months to 3 years
Borrowing against what you own
Not every lender offers every product. Some lenders can go up to 10 years on term loans and asset finance up to £1.1 million. Borrowers in scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol have a £1 million maximum. Subsidy limits can reduce what you can borrow. Source: British Business Bank.
How it compares
| GGS-backed | Standard loan | Credit card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government guarantee to the lender | 70% | No | No |
| Helps a lender go beyond its usual risk appetite | Yes | No | No |
| Amounts | £1k to £2M | Varies | Your limit |
| Fixed repayment term | Up to 6 years+ | Varies | No |
| Main home can’t be taken as security | Yes | Varies | Unsecured |
| Interest and fees | Set by lender | Set by lender | Set by issuer |
| You’re liable for the full debt | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Real UK businesses, funded through the scheme
These are published British Business Bank case studies of businesses funded through the scheme.
£2m
Ashbrook Group
A funding package from Arbuthnot Commercial ABL to acquire Webb Injection Moulders.
£900k
Velocity Pro Gear
Through Danske Bank, to scale production, exports and its Connect app.
£250k
Trustist
A York reviews platform scaling up its technology, marketing and team.
£70k
Reel Film
A Wetherby video company growing its marketing and hiring a business development team.
£2.89bn
delivered to UK smaller businesses
70+
lenders supporting the scheme
£1.98bn
reached businesses outside London and the South East
Scheme-wide figures as at 30 September 2025, combined with Recovery Loan Scheme iteration 3. Sources: case studies and performance data, British Business Bank. None of this funding was arranged by Tally, and your outcome will depend on your business and the lender.
Four easy steps from here
Tally is free to use, and there’s no obligation to go ahead at any point.
- 1
Today
Take the check
A few questions about your business. About 60 seconds, no documents.
- 2
Within 24 hours
Talk to a partner
If we can match you, a funding partner, usually a specialist broker, gets in touch.
- 3
Next
See your options
They review your business. Options may include GGS-backed finance, and lenders make the decision.
- 4
Your call
Decide
Check the terms and fees, and only go ahead if it’s right for you. There’s no obligation.
About 60 seconds · No documents · No obligation
Who it’s not for
Better you know now than find out later.
- Businesses not trading in the UK
- Businesses in difficulty or in insolvency proceedings
- Businesses that couldn’t afford the repayments
- Group turnover over £54 million
- LLPs, sole traders, partnerships and individuals. Tally’s service is for limited companies only.
Each lender makes its own decision. Meeting the scheme criteria doesn’t guarantee approval.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a grant?
No. It’s finance you repay in full, plus any interest and fees. The guarantee goes to the lender, not to you.
Does the 70% guarantee protect me?
No. You stay 100% liable for the debt. The guarantee is what gives lenders room to support more businesses.
Can I go to a bank directly?
Yes. Many high street banks are accredited lenders, and you can approach them yourself. If a lender can offer a comparable loan without the guarantee, it will. Our service is a quick way to get introduced to a partner who can review your options.
Who actually lends the money?
A lender, never Tally and never the government. We’re an introduction service. Most of our funding partners are specialist brokers who work with lenders.
Will checking affect my credit file?
A broker or lender may run identity, fraud-prevention and credit-reference checks. They should explain the type and effect of any search before going ahead.
How long is the scheme open?
Until 31 March 2030.
What would you do with up to £2 million?
A few quick questions. No documents, no bank statements. Find out if we can match you with a funding partner who can review your options.
About 60 seconds · No documents · No obligation
Tally is an introduction service, not a lender. We’re not part of the government or the British Business Bank. Finance is subject to status and each lender’s own checks.