Step Up
Firstport
What it funds
Step Up can provide 0% interest loans of between £5,000 and £30,000 to social enterprises looking to grow. This includes concepts, products, or services enterprises have used or are currently using to expand your business. You can use the loan to build on activities that have already helped your organisation generate income, such as: increasing stock or equipment running marketing campaigns expanding successful products or services delivering additional events, workshops or courses purchasing…
Who can apply
Social enterprises in Scotland that want to repeat or scale activities that are helping their businesses grow.
Key criteria
- The social enterprise must be incorporated and headquartered in Scotland.
Last checked against the official source: 3 Aug 2026. Scheme parameters are set by the funder and can change — verify before applying, or let us do it for you.
Related schemes
Growth Guarantee Scheme
British Business Bank
Successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme: government-backed guarantee enabling term loans, overdrafts and asset finance up to £2m for smaller UK businesses through accredited lenders.
Business Growth West Midlands Programmes
West Midlands Combined Authority
Regional business-support service for West Midlands SMEs with funded advice and periodic capital/revenue grant programmes (historically £2.5k-£100k waves) for growth, decarbonisation and digital projects.
Development Bank of Wales Business Loans
Development Bank of Wales
Flexible loans (and equity) from £1,000 to £10m for Welsh businesses — micro loans, growth capital, property and succession finance with patient terms.