Help to Grow: Digital – What You Need to Know

What are the Headlines?

Help to Grow: Digital is one of a number of government initiatives to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more resilient and to fully enable digital technology.

The programme launches in autumn 2021 and Chancellor Rishi Sunak is calling on businesses from across the country to sign up.

Help to Grow Digital will offer you as a business leader free and impartial advice on how technology can help your company and the chance to take advantage of a discount of up to 50% on the costs of approved software, worth up to £5,000.

What is Help to Grow: Digital?

Help to Grow: Digital supports SMEs, via an online platform, to identify their digital technology needs, assess technology purchasing options and then implement new technologies in their operations.

In ‘Wave 1’, there are three technology types:

• Accounting
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• E-commerce.

To encourage businesses to take up the latest software, those that meet the criteria can use vouchers to get up to 50% off the price of technology packages.

The discount vouchers are initially expected to be available for software that helps businesses to build customer relationships and increase sales, boost their online sales and manage their accounts and finances.

You’ll be eligible for vouchers if your company employs between five and 249 people and is registered at Companies House. Your business also needs to have been trading for more than 12 months and be purchasing the discounted software for the first time.

In addition to the financial packages, all businesses are expected to be able to benefit from free online advice via the platform.

How can Help to Grow: Digital help your business?

Julian David, CEO of techUK, the trade association that brings together people, companies and organisations to realise the potential of digital technology, described the initiative as “an extremely welcome intervention by the government to help British businesses build back better”.

“During the pandemic, companies able to take advantage of the latest digital technologies to adapt to social distancing restrictions were not just able to survive, but to thrive, growing up to eight times faster than those who did not use digital tools.”

Despite most small businesses wanting to expand their digital capability, many have been left, following months of disruption caused by the pandemic, without the financial capacity to adopt technology to the level they would like.  This new initiative is expected to support businesses to embrace digital quicker.

How do you apply for Help to Grow: Digital?

Applying for the Help to Grow: Digital scheme is completed via the Help to Grow portal.

You’ll need your Companies House registration number to register. Simply click on the link in the confirmation email and you’ll be sent more information in due course.

Take advantage now

The pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives with the increased use of digital technology particularly noticeable. Cloud computing continues to reduce costs and increase flexibility and agility.

Help to Grow: Digital offers SMEs the opportunity to progress more swiftly in the new digital world with the added bonus of financial support and software advice from the government.

Rest assured that, even if you don’t sign up for this new initiative, there’s a strong chance that your competitors will. And chilliapple is ready to help with any web and app development needs you have to get you ahead.