Launch of Help to Grow: Digital Scheme to Boost the Growth of Tech SMEs

This UK-wide scheme aims to help small and medium-sized businesses with discounted software and free advice.

The Government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme has been launched to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies so they can grow.

Through the scheme, eligible firms will receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of approved Digital Accounting and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software from leading technology suppliers. This software will help them effectively manage their finances and build customer relationships, enabling them to scale up their operations.

The initiative complements the Help to Grow: Management scheme, which was launched in 2021 as part of wider government efforts to back businesses and boost the UK economy. Help to Grow: Management offers business leaders management and leadership training. Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, businesses receive 50 hours of training across 12 weeks.

To qualify for the financial discount through Help to Grow: Digital, businesses can be from any business sector. They must have between 5 and 249 employees and be purchasing the software for the first time.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

‘I want UK businesses to be primed and ready to seize all the opportunities on the horizon as we build back better from the pandemic.

‘Adopting technology means higher performance, and the Help to Grow: Digital scheme is future-proofing our small businesses and putting the UK at the forefront of the worldwide digital revolution.’

Applications can be made at any time.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)