The Start Up Loans Ambassadors come from every UK Nation and region, and we have additional representatives for the Armed Forces veteran community and a Gen Z Ambassador to showcase the huge entrepreneurial potential these groups have.
Our annual Ambassadors celebration shines a spotlight on individuals who have gone on to launch and manage successful enterprises after receiving initial funding from Start Up Loans.
Since Start Up Loans programme was founded in 2012, it has delivered, over 125,000 loans to aspiring business owners. The summer of 2025 saw record volumes of lending through the programme, showing people are more motivated than ever to bring their business dreams to life. From the beginning of June to the end of August this year, over £35m of loans were distributed to small business founders.
This year’s Spending Review provided a £1bn extension to the programme to provide even more backing for small businesses and boost the nation’s economy further.
A significant percentage of Ambassadors for 25-26 represent the UK’s thriving food and beverage industry, which now contributes £37bn to the UK economy. The United Kingdom has a strong demand for premium, innovative and diverse food and beverage products, and a number of this year’s Ambassadors are bringing international flavours, allergen-free options and carbon neutral products to consumers.
Below, three of our Ambassadors reveal more about their unique start-up journeys, and their achievements so far.
Hammed Obikoya, Mama Bobo, Northern Ireland Ambassador
Hammed ‘Hammy’ Obikoya set up Mama Bobo Africa in August 2023, a traditional Nigerian restaurant and supermarket in South Belfast. With the goal to open a restaurant that offers a taste of home for Nigerians living in Northern Ireland, Mama Bobo Africa is now a staple spot for local foodies.
Hammy initially spent his own money to bring his business plan to life before learning about Start Up Loans. After establishing a solid and viable business plan and receiving financial and mentorship support from the programme, Mama Bobo Africa is going from strength to strength, and Hammy has already got plans for future growth.
Mama Bobo Africa grocery store is now stocking over 200 products in store, and offer additional services including click and collect orders, taxi orders, and postal services. His initial loan was used to purchase goods and produce from Nigeria, appliances including fridges and a gas cooker, and running expenses for the first 2-3 months while the business found its feet.
Hammy says: “We knew we had a good business idea, but the support from Start Up Loans helped make that idea a reality. To see the business grow in popularity and become embedded in the local community has been hugely rewarding and given me the confidence to look to the future with plans for further business development.
“Running my own business was new to me in the beginning therefore the mentoring aspect of Start Up Loans was as important to me as the finance. This can be something which sometimes gets overlooked, but for entrepreneurs fulfilling the ambition of a lifetime and launching their own business, it can be a real lifeline. I have no hesitation in recommending Start Up Loans to anyone thinking of starting their own business.”
Rachel Munro, The Rebel Baker, Scotland Ambassador
Rachel Munro, 38, set up The Rebel Baker in 2024, an allergen-free bakery based in Ayr. Rachel set out to diversify the range of sweet treats available in her community, after she struggled to find options in supermarkets and local stores that her daughter – who has several allergies – could enjoy.
Fast forward to 2025, Rachel is supplying delicious baked goods, free from the 14 allergens defined by the Food Standards Agency, to over 20 Glasgow and Ayrshire cafes, as well as national partners. Using a Start Up Loan of £15,000, Rachel was able to purchase new equipment as her order book grew.
Rachel says: “The idea for the Rebel Baker came to me in the bath in November 2023, and by the following January, I was up and running, creating allergen-free baked goods for a range of local suppliers. Having seen first-hand how tricky it can be for my daughter to find tasty treats, it is so important to me that there are allergen-free options readily available which taste just as good, if not better. As the rebel name suggests, I wanted to challenge the status quo.
“I’ve worked in a range of roles in hospitality and events in the past but after losing my dad when I was just 24, it put things into perspective for me. You only get one chance at life, and that pushed me to be my own boss and carve out my own path in an area that I am so passionate about.
“Funding and support from partners such as the British Business Bank has been a critical part of my journey so far, so it is great to be representing Scotland in this year’s ambassador programme. At the same time, I’m in talks about some major contracts with retailers and catering companies, so it is a really exciting time for the Rebel Baker.”
Anna Lloyd, Bwblin, Wales Ambassador
Anna Lloyd, 28, founded Bwblin in 2024, a vegan, organic and carbon-neutral fermented food brand based on the coast of Anglesey. After specialising in small-batch sauerkraut made using seasonal British produce, Bwblin is now expanding into other fermented favourites, including kimchi and miso, all handmade with locally sourced ingredients.
It wasn’t long before Anna outgrew her home kitchen after founding Bwblin in late 2024. The initial £5,000 loan allowed her to purchase professional equipment, such as vegetable preparation machines and a rotary mixer, and to move into a dedicated production space to keep up with demand.
Anna says, “The loan changed everything. Before, I was chopping cabbage by hand for hours. Now, with the equipment, I can produce at scale, work more efficiently and treat this as a full-time job rather than a side hustle.
“There’s so much amazing veg grown here in North Wales. I want Bwblin to champion that – not just with great flavour, but by showing that sustainable, local food can be exciting.”
