Help to Grow: Digital scheme launches today to support small businesses with discounted software and free advice
The government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme – designed to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies so they can grow – has opened for applications today (20 January).
Under the scheme, eligible businesses can now receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of approved Digital Accounting and CRM software from leading technology suppliers. This software will help them to effectively manage their finances and build customer relationships, ultimately levelling up the way businesses are run and helping them to scale up.
From today, businesses can also access practical, specialised support and advice on how to choose the right digital technologies to boost their growth and productivity through a new online platform.
The new Help to Grow: Digital scheme sits alongside the Help to Grow: Management scheme launched in 2021 as part of wider government efforts to back businesses and level up the economy.
Through Help to Grow: Digital, the government is providing business leaders with the advice and funding they need to embrace digital technology and help their business grow.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
Mike Cherry, National Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said:
Business Minister Lord Callanan said:
Tech and Digital Economy Minister Chris Philp said:
Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBI President, said:
Through the Help to Grow schemes, the government is helping businesses to boost their productivity with training and software that is proven to get results.
This is also just the start of the new scheme. The government is looking to bring on further products that will help small and medium-sized businesses to grow, including new software to help businesses maximise their sales online.
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.
The course is 90% funded by government and delivered by leading business schools across the UK, with the support of experienced entrepreneurs and leading figures from industry.
Courses have been running at business schools across the UK since June.
Additional Information
The Help to Grow: Digital scheme is delivered through a new online platform.
To qualify for the financial discount through Help to Grow: Digital, businesses can be from any business sector, but must meet all 4 of the following criteria:
The approved software products from technology suppliers on the Help to Grow: Digital online platform for wave 1 are:
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software:
Digital Accounting software:
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software allows businesses to store their customer contact and order data all in one secure, central location. CRM has the capability to simplify business processes and enable businesses to be more profitable and efficient.
Businesses who use CRM systems to manage their sales and customers see on average an 18% boost to their productivity.
Digital Accounting software makes essential business finance tasks like raising invoices, tracking spend, and sharing information easier to manage. Businesses who adopt Digital Accounting software see on average an 11.8% increase in employee sales over 3 years.
To find out how your business can get Help to Grow, visit the GOV.UK Help to Grow page.