IT and digital support for SMEs – UK
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can now apply for IT and digital support worth up to £2,000, after the UK IT Association (UKITA) joined the Government’s Growth Voucher programme.
The programme aims to boost SME growth by subsidising the cost of specialist business support. Businesses must match the amount of any funding awarded and can then claim 50% cash back using their Growth Vouchers.
Businesses are eligible for the programme if they have:
- been trading for at least one year
- 49 employees or fewer
- not sought advice in the last three years.
Around 20,000 businesses will be eligible for funding under the scheme, which runs until March 2015.
The support available from UKITA applies to the following types of IT and digital advice:
- improving customer online experience
- planning digital projects
- automating business activities
- selling online
- analysing technology usage
- your online visibility.
Helen Brewster, chair of UKITA, said:
“We are delighted to see that with the innovative Growth Vouchers programme, the government is confirming our view of the vital role that IT and digital now plays in the competitive success of almost every business, whether large or small.”
Phil Oakley, head of UKITA’s IT and digital advisers’ national group, said:
“The timing of the new voucher scheme is excellent because we are in the process of developing a national network of UKITA members who can provide help and guidance to businesses operating under the UKITA code of practice.”