Startup Cost Estimator

Estimate your total UK startup costs — one-time setup costs, monthly overheads and the initial working capital you need to launch.

Business type

One-time setup costs (£) — website, equipment, fit-out

Monthly overhead costs (£) — rent, subscriptions, insurance

Months of runway needed before break-even

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Fill in the details to get your result.

How This Works

Startup capital = one-time setup costs + sector-specific costs + working capital (monthly overheads × runway months) + 15% contingency. Working capital covers you while revenue ramps up — most businesses take 3–12 months to reach break-even. Always add a 15–20% contingency; startup costs almost always exceed initial estimates.

Options for UK startups: Start Up Loans (government-backed, £500–£25,000, 6% fixed rate), Innovate UK grants (for tech/innovation), local Growth Hubs, angel investors (for equity), crowdfunding (Crowdfunder, Kickstarter), revenue-based financing, and commercial bank loans. Many start with personal savings — bootstrapping avoids equity dilution and debt. Check the British Business Bank website for the full range of available funding schemes.