The government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme – designed to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies – has opened for applications.

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.

Where to apply for Help to Grow: Digital scheme

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.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “Small- and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, creating jobs and prosperity across the UK.

“When I announced this at the Budget I said we wanted to help businesses become more innovative, more competitive and more profitable and I am excited this programme allows them to do that.

“Help to Grow: Digital will help them to grow and flourish by adopting new technologies that are proven to improve processes and boost productivity, levelling up their digital technology and skills.”

To qualify for the financial discount, businesses can be from any sector but must meet the following criteria:

  • be a business based in the United Kingdom registered with Companies House or be a registered society on the Financial Conduct Authorities Mutuals Register
  • be employing between 5 and 249 people
  • have been actively trading for over 12 months, and have an incorporation date of at least 365 days prior to application
  • be purchasing the approved software for the first time
  • eligible businesses will receive one financial discount towards the purchase of one approved software product up to a maximum of £5,000 (not including VAT) in customer relationship management and digital accounting software product categories
  • additional software product categories will be available with the discount soon, including eCommerce software
  • the financial discount covers 12 months’ worth of approved software product core costs, exclusive of VAT

The approved technology suppliers on the Help to Grow: Digital online platform for wave 1 are:

CRM software

  • Capsule CRM
  • Zymplify
  • Livepoint Software Solutions Ltd
  • Gold-Vision CRM
  • Deskpro Ltd

Digital accounting software

  • Sage
  • Intuit Ltd
  • Crunch

Mike Cherry, national chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Small businesses are often keen to embrace new technologies, but we know that 1 in 4 lack confidence in their own basic digital skills. 

“For those small firms who are eligible, providing the means to make improvements through projects like this will make a real difference for those that are keen to expand their knowledge and skills.

“Our own research has shown that just 40% of small business owners have used applications like cloud services and online data storage or back-up. It’s crucial that practical changes like this scheme are put in place to help small firms adopt digital technologies, making improvements to their own business and driving growth.

“We’re encouraging as many eligible small firms to apply and make the most of this new scheme.”