Serving over 1.5m visitors each year

The secret to securing a start-up loan

The hardest part of going it alone is getting funding.

Every week hundreds of would-be entrepreneurs meet their bank managers in the hope of getting a loan to start a business. Only about half of them succeed. So how can you tip the odds in your favour?

Read these Top 10 Tips from the Times Online here.

You can also read our dedicated guide to securing a small business loan.

For the latest start-up updates, subscribe to our small business newsletter. Posted May 11, 2006

Latest articles in Latest News

Non executive directors warned over insolvency liabilities
A leading North West law firm is issuing an urgent alarm call to non executive directors warning them that their personal assets could be seized by creditors if their company becomes insolvent. [November 5, 2009]

Raising small business tax burden would be very costly
A new independent report suggests that raising the tax burden on small business would ultimately cost the country billions of pounds and hundreds of thousands of jobs. [October 30, 2009]

Tories promise National Insurance holiday for start-ups
The Shadow Chancellor has announced a plan to implement a National Insurance holiday for new business start-ups should the Conservatives win the next election. [October 7, 2009]

You can now report tax-dodging businesses via the web
Following recent initiatives to clamp down on tax evasion, you can now report busineses you believe are evading tax via the web. [October 5, 2009]

Bytestart survey shows start-ups defiant during downturn
This summer, we conducted a visitor survey to find out how small business owners (and prospective owners) were dealing with the effects of the recession. The results suggest that the UK's entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, despite the significant challenges of doing business in the current environment. [September 22, 2009]

HMRC could demand customer information from small businesses
HMRC is seeking additional powers to force businesses to provide extra information on their clients and customers, according to a leading accountancy group. [September 8, 2009]

Micro businesses are a good bet during a downturn
A recent report suggests that smaller (micro) businesses are more likely to succeed during tough economic times. [August 28, 2009]

'Real' business networking as important as ever, despite social media boom
Despite the increasing popularity of social networking websites like Twitter and Linked-In amongst small businesses, face-to-face networking is more important than ever, according to a study conducted by a business networking site. [August 27, 2009]

Supply2gov drops annual charge to attract tenders from small businesses
The Government has scrapped the £180 annual charge for businesses using its procurement website supply2.gov.uk. [August 13, 2009]

Tax timebomb could force more small businesses under
A leading insolvency expert has urged small businesses affected by the recession not to "bury their heads in the sand" as another wave of business collapses could be on the horizon, triggered by the inability to settle tax liabilities [August 4, 2009]

One in three small businesses unaffected by recession
Six months after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) officially announced that the UK is in recession, a new report reveals how small businesses have been performing over the past 12 months. [July 22, 2009]

Still no news from Government on £750 million innovation fund
In April’s Budget the Chancellor announced a £750 million fund for innovation to "stimulate growth in the UK's industries of the future". Some two months on we’re still not closer to any details about what the fund will cover or who can apply for it. [June 30, 2009]

New online accounting system for freelancers and small companies
A new online accounting system has been launched, which enables freelancers, contractors and other small companies to manage their entire accounts, invoicing and expenses online. [June 26, 2009]

Business owners value advice from family members
A new report suggests that small business owners value the opinions of their spouses or partners when it comes to business advice. Although accountants are the most valued source for advice, bankers have fallen down the pecking order. [June 22, 2009]

Small businesses affected by dodgy expenses claims
A leading law firm is urging small business employers to take a tough line on the management of expenses as the MP expenses scandal continues to make the headlines. [June 19, 2009]

Home

Business News