Ambitious Aerospace founders named Start Up Loans East Midlands Ambassadors

• British Business Bank names founders Rowan Carstensen and Andrea Savi of the Northamptonshire-based Flyber Composites as Start Up Loans Ambassadors
• The founders of the advanced manufacturing business are targeting further growth in the US market as they seek to increase market share and secure venture capital investment to support the company’s next phase of expansion
• The Start Up Loans programme has delivered more than £85m in lending to East Midlands-based entrepreneurs, helping thousands of founders start and grow their businesses
• Successful business owners pass on their advice to other smaller business owners  

20th October 2026: The entrepreneurs behind an innovative aerospace business that used funding from the Start Up Loans programme to develop its first propeller prototype have been appointed as Start Up Loans Ambassadors for the East Midlands.

Rowan Carstensen and Andrea Savi founded Flyber Aerospace Composites in 2023. The business manufactures high-performance composite propellers for drones, UAVs, and urban air mobility platforms, serving both civil and defence markets.

Flyber secured £50,000 of Start Up Loans financing, with each co-founder receiving the maximum £25,000 loan. The funding enabled the business to develop its first prototype and invest in the research and development needed to support its manufacturing process. Flyber now supplies the Ministry of Defence, has developed opportunities with prospective customers in the United States, attracted angel investment, and opened a manufacturing facility in Northamptonshire.

With aerospace forming part of the Government’s key Advanced Manufacturing Industrial Strategy sector, the business is now consolidating its UK presence, scaling production, and building partnerships with US customers with ambitions to become a major supplier to the US defence sector. To support its growth ambitions, Flyber is looking to attract £10 million worth of investment by 2027 and aims to establish manufacturing facilities in both the United States and India to meet growing demand.

Start Up Loans Ambassadors, has been running for more than a decade and recognises top entrepreneurial talent from all 12 Nations and regions across the UK. In addition, two Ambassadors have been selected to represent specialist groups supported by the programme, including a Gen Z founder and a member of the Armed Forces veterans community.

This year’s Ambassadors have been invited to pass on their one piece of advice to someone starting a business today.

Rowan Carstensen, Co-Founder of Flyber replied: “My advice to founders is to establish your network early. The relationships you build from day one can open doors to expertise, partnerships, and investment that might otherwise take years to access. A strong network can even be the key to unlocking your next opportunity so make the most of every connection and be open to where it might lead.”

Andrea Savi, Co-Founder, Flyber added: “Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Being able to draw on the expertise and knowledge of mentors and others who have built their own businesses is hugely beneficial. I've found people are generous with their time and want to support you.”

Louise McCoy, Managing Director, Start Up Loans, British Business Bank said: “Flyber is an ambitious and innovative advanced manufacturing company that aligns closely with the Industrial Strategy sectors the British Business Bank helps support. It is great to know the vital role Start Up Loans has played in helping Rowan and Andrea develop their prototype, secure additional investment and establish their manufacturing facility."

Minister for Small Business and Enterprise Lord Leong said: “Start Up Loans have helped more than 100,000 entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into real businesses. Behind every business is a founder who took a chance - and the jobs created show how far that ambition can go with the right support.

"This success is a tribute to our determined founders, inspiring ambassadors, and the British Business Bank. I congratulate everyone involved. Giving entrepreneurs the chance to succeed creates opportunities that reach far beyond any one business, benefiting families, communities, and the wider economy.”

In the East Midlands, 40% of loan recipients have been women and 17% from Black, Asian, and Other Minority Ethnic backgrounds (not including White Minorities).

Pass It On advice from successful business owners

This year, the Start Up Loans scheme is encouraging established, successful business owners to pass on the benefit of their experience to the new Ambassadors. Co-Founder of DASH Water, Alex Wright, offers encouragement, advising: "Don't be afraid to put yourself out there - start small, get feedback, iterate, and go again. It's the same model Eric Ries sets out in The Lean Startup, and it's served us well at DASH."

Emilie Vanpoperinghe, CEO and Co-Founder of Oddbox also has advice to smaller business owners: “The strongest brands feel authentic. If what you do consistently matches what you believe, people actually feel that and over time that will build a strong brand. So, I encourage the Start Up Loans Ambassadors to be authentic and to be intentional and consistent with what they do with their business.”

About Start Up Loans

The Start Up Loans programme provides personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000 at a fixed interest rate per annum and offers free dedicated mentoring and support to each business. Eligibility for a first Start Up Loan has been extended to businesses that have been trading for up to 60 months.

The primary aim of the Start Up Loans programme is to ensure that viable start-ups and early-stage businesses have access to the finance and support they need in order to thrive. A network of Business Support Partner organisations supports applicants in all regions and industries throughout the UK. The Start Up Loans programme is not designed to generate a commercial profit. Capital payments together with the interest are recycled to help meet increasing demands for finance.

Inspired by Lia and Ashlee's journey? Thousands of entrepreneurs across the UK have turned their business ideas into reality with funding and support from the Start Up Loans programme. Discover how a Start Up Loan could help you start, grow, and succeed at businessfinancestartup.co.uk