Business plan
A clear, lender-ready plan and cashflow forecast — the foundation everything else is built on.
- Idea pressure-tested and costed
- Written plan & financial forecast
- Ready to put in front of a lender
One-off project
Government-backed Start Up Loans delivery partner
Your idea deserves a real plan — and the funding to launch it.
Ian Harris helps early-stage founders write a lender-ready business plan, secure start-up funding, and launch with confidence — then stays on to help you grow. Getting you funded is what he does.
Free, no-obligation call · Built for founders in their first 3 years
Gov-backed Start Up Loans partner
£25k funding per founder
6% fixed loan interest
Free mentoring included
Is this for you?
Ian helps founders at the very start
His support makes the biggest difference in your first few years — while a plan and funding still shape everything. Here's how to tell if you're in the window.
This is built for you if…
- You've got a business idea but aren't sure how to make it real
- You're planning, or have been trading for less than ~3 years
- You need funding to launch and don't know where to start
- You want a plan a lender will actually take seriously
- You'd value a guide who's secured funding for founders like you
Sounds like you? Take the 60-second check ↓
You may be better served elsewhere if…
- Your business has traded for 3+ years and is well established
- You're after a large later-stage raise or venture capital round
- You only need branding, a website or marketing — not a plan and funding
Not sure where you fit? It's still worth asking — Ian can often point you in the right direction. Check in 60 seconds ↓
How it works
From idea to profit, one clear step at a time
There's a proven path from a business idea to a funded, growing company. Ian walks it with you — so you always know what's next.
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Idea
Pressure-test your idea and shape it into something fundable — turning “I think this could work” into a clear, costed concept.
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Plan
Build a lender-ready business plan and cashflow forecast that stands up to scrutiny — the document funding decisions are made on.
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Funding
Secure the money to launch. As a Start Up Loans delivery partner, Ian helps you access government-backed funding of up to £25,000 per founder.
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Launch
Get trading with confidence. Put the essentials in place and make your funding work from day one.
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Grow
Stay supported with an optional monthly retainer — growing the business and securing later funding as you scale.
Government-backed funding
An official Start Up Loans delivery partner
The Start Up Loans scheme is backed by the UK Government and delivered through the British Business Bank. As an accredited delivery partner, Ian can guide you through the whole process — from a fundable business plan to the application itself.
Because it's a personal loan for business purposes, there's no need to secure it against your home or business assets — and every loan comes with free mentoring built in.
- £500 – £25,000Per founder — up to four owners of one business can each apply
- 6% fixedInterest rate per year — no hidden fees
- 1 – 5 yearsRepayment term, with no early-repayment charges
- Free mentoring12 months of dedicated support included
Figures shown for guidance only. Loans are subject to status and eligibility; terms are set by the British Business Bank and may change. Startup Assist UK is a delivery partner, not the lender.
About Ian
A steady guide who's helped founders like you
Ian Harris built Startup Assist to do one thing really well: help people start a business from scratch and get it funded. He's spent years turning rough ideas into plans that lenders back — and he still gets a kick out of the moment a founder's funding comes through.
As a government-backed Start Up Loans delivery partner, he knows exactly what a strong application looks like. No jargon, no hard sell — just honest, practical help from someone who's walked the path before.
Results & proof
Founders who started exactly where you are
A plan they believed in, the funding to act on it, and someone in their corner throughout.
- 150+Founders supported
- £3m+Funding secured
- 9 in 10Plans taken to funding
- 10+ yrsHelping start-ups
“I had the idea but no clue how to get funded. Ian turned my notes into a plan the lender actually approved — I opened three months later.”
“Calm, clear and genuinely on my side. The Start Up Loan felt daunting until Ian walked me through every step.”
“He didn't just get me funded — he stayed on as we grew and helped secure our next round. Worth every penny.”
Sample results shown for layout — to be replaced with Ian's verified figures and client stories.
Services
Three ways Ian works with you
Start with what you need now. Most founders begin with a plan and funding, then choose ongoing support to grow.
Plan + funding
Everything in the plan, plus hands-on help to secure the government-backed funding to launch.
- Full business plan & forecast
- Start Up Loan application guidance
- Up to £25,000 per founder
- Free mentoring included with the loan
One-off project
Growth retainer
Ongoing monthly support once you're trading — to build the business and fund the next step.
- Regular strategy & accountability
- Help securing later funding rounds
- A steady hand as you scale
Optional monthly retainer
Fees depend on where you're starting from — Ian confirms them on your free call, before you commit to anything.
Funding questions, answered
How do I get funding to start a business?
The questions founders ask most about plans, Start Up Loans and getting funded.
How do I get funding to start a business in the UK?
Most first-time founders fund a launch with a government-backed Start Up Loan of up to £25,000, often alongside personal savings or a small overdraft. Lenders decide based on a clear business plan and a realistic cashflow forecast, so getting those right comes first.
As a Start Up Loans delivery partner, Ian helps you build a fundable plan and guides you through the application — and the loan comes with free mentoring built in.
What is a Start Up Loan and am I eligible?
A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan for business purposes, delivered through the British Business Bank. You can borrow from £500 to £25,000 at a fixed 6% annual interest rate over one to five years.
It's generally open to UK residents aged 18 or over whose business has been trading for less than 36 months, or hasn't started yet. Eligibility is subject to status — Ian can help you check before you apply.
How much money can I borrow to start a business?
Through the Start Up Loans scheme you can borrow up to £25,000 per person. If your business has more than one owner, up to four owners can each apply — so a business can raise up to £100,000 in total.
Need more than that? Ian can help you plan a route that combines Start Up Loans with other funding options.
Do I need a business plan to get funding?
Yes. A lender needs to see a clear business plan and a cashflow forecast showing you can afford the repayments — it's the single biggest reason applications succeed or stall.
Ian writes and refines this with you so it stands up to scrutiny. It's the document funding decisions are made on.
How long does it take to get start-up funding?
Once your business plan and forecast are ready, a Start Up Loan application typically takes a few weeks to move through assessment and approval. The biggest variable is how prepared your plan is at the start — which is exactly where working with Ian saves time.
I've been trading for a few years — can you still help?
Ian specialises in the earliest stages: your first plan, your first funding and your launch. If your business has been trading for more than three years he's usually not the best fit — but it's still worth asking, as he can often point you towards the right support.
The quickest way to find out is the 60-second “Can I help you?” check.
How much does Startup Assist cost?
Getting your plan and funding in place is a one-off project, and growing afterwards is an optional monthly retainer. Exact fees depend on where you're starting from, so Ian confirms them on a free, no-obligation call before you commit to anything.