A quad bike stuntman has dozens of shows booked across the UK for 2026 and 2027, thanks to a £25k Start Up Loan delivered by SWIG Finance on behalf of the government-backed British Business Bank.
Sam Coulter, 30, has revived the Kangaroo Kid brand initially made famous by his dad, Matt. His fast-action show will thrill audiences of all ages with wheelies, jumps, tricks and rollovers, and the cash injection has enabled him to buy vital equipment for his tour, as well as all-important insurance and marketing.
Start Up Loans is part of the British Business Bank and offers personal loans of up to £25,000 per director and offers free mentoring to help anyone start or grow a new or early-stage business. SWIG Finance is the Start Up Loans programme’s Business Support Partner for the government-backed programme in the South West.
Quad bike stuntman, Kangaroo Kid, has dozens of shows booked across the UK for 2026 and 2027, thanks to a £25k Start Up Loan.
Slamming on the brakes and rolling your quad bike five times might sound like the stuff of nightmares, but it’s the kind of stunt that has made the Kangaroo Kid name famous. Sam’s father, Australian-born stunt pioneer Matt Coulter, performed globally under the alias for 35 years, earning world records for death-defying jumps.
Watching in the wings was son Sam. “When you’re a kid, everyone asks, who is your hero? You might say your favourite sports person, but for me it was my dad,” says Sam.
“Going from show to show and watching him jump over monster trucks and tractors on a quad bike, in front of thousands of people, was pretty awesome. It’s the finest way to spend the summer I can think of.”
Sam joined his dad in the ring full-time at the age of 18. “While I was by no means famous, it was pretty cool to be the focus of everyone’s attention,” he admits. “Not everyone gets to experience that.”
That said, the business was not without its challenges. For starters, it’s part-time, with its peak during county show season from May to September. “It didn’t make financial sense, and I wasn’t ready to settle down for a career in it,” says Sam, who left the thrills behind to launch his own recruitment business.
Need funding for your start-up?
We have Start Up Loans available for businesses trading for under five years
Fast-forward to 2026, and Sam’s “sensible job” gives him the financial security to pursue his seasonal work. He promises the 21st century Kangaroo Kid experience comes with rigorous safety assurances, while being no less breath-taking for it.
“The level of risk I take is very calculated, and is set up in a safe environment,” he explains. “I jump distances I’m comfortable with; the equipment I wear – boots, helmets, knee braces – are a world apart from what was available when Dad started out, and the suspension on the quad is way better.”
Now 56, Coulter Snr is “delighted and so excited” Sam is going back into the ring and will make occasional appearances on tour to reminisce about his heyday.
A major factor for the return of the Kangaroo Kid was the arrival of a third generation. “My son was born in November,” says proud dad Sam. “I absolutely loved travelling round the shows with my dad, and I wanted to offer him the same experience. There’s no pressure, but the opportunity’s there should he ever want to step into this world.”
Sam was based in Bristol when he made his Start Up Loan application and relocated to Ludlow in Shropshire at the end of October to be nearer family and for more space to store his equipment.
The funding supported the purchase of a new trailer which converts into a ramp, and a van that can transport the whole lot around the country during touring season.
Discovered through a simple internet search, the Start Up Loan was “super-vital” for getting the business back on track. Sam was guided through the process by Ellie Garbett, Start Up Loans officer for SWIG Finance, and was subsequently able to purchase a new trailer which converts into a ramp, and a van that can transport the whole lot around the country during touring season.
“It would have been very difficult to get everything in place without the loan. I had worried whether anyone would lend me money to do this, and doing it through my other business would have been a big financial risk.
“But the process was the best it could possibly be. Ellie was great at explaining how it worked and making sure I provided the right information to make the decision quick and easy. I’m so glad I decided to give it a shot, as it’s all working out fantastically.”
Ellie Garbett said: “It was incredibly exciting to work on this business with Sam. His story and passion for quad biking were truly inspiring, and with shows already booked for the coming year, I am confident he is going to do amazing things.”
Find out more about
Find out more about
About SWIG Finance
SWIG Finance is a people-based lender that provides loans and support to help smaller businesses in the South and West Country grow. We base our lending decisions on potential rather than collateral, which means that we can often support businesses when others can't.
We’re growing every year. In 2024/25, we lent £14.8m to 501 businesses, helping to create and secure over 1,272 jobs and generate £75.7m in social impact. Download the report here.
If you’d like an informal chat about your funding requirements, get in touch with our friendly and professional team to see how we can help: info@swigfinance.co.uk / 01872 227 930