Digital technology - advice and financial support for SMEs

To assist businesses to choose, buy and incorporate digital technologies, the government has set up the ‘Help to grow: Digital’ service.

The service comprises two main elements:

1. Free advice about what digital technology will work best and how it can boost the performance of your business.
2. Financial support to buy digital technology. Eligible businesses can access a discount of up to 50% on the cost of buying approved software, worth up to a maximum of £5,000. Discounts will be available for software products in two areas: 

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to help build customer relationships and increase sales. Approved software providers include Sage, Quickbooks and Crunch.
• Digital accounting software to help manage accounts and finances digitally. Approved software providers include Zymplify, Gold-Vision and SwiftCase.

Additional software products, including e-Commerce software, are expected to become available for Help to Grow: Digital discounts soon.

Is your business eligible?

Advice can be accessed by all businesses via the Help to Grow: Digital website. This is free advice and guidance on digital technology adoption.

Financial support is available to UK businesses that meet all the following eligibility criteria:   

• The business must have a registered office in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland) and be registered at the relevant Companies House or be a registered society listed on the Financial Conduct Authority’s Mutuals Register.
• The business must have been actively trading for over 12 months prior to the date of application and have an incorporation date of, at minimum, 365 days prior to the date of application. 
• The business must have a total of between 5 and 249 employees. 
• The business must be purchasing the approved software for the first time.

And the small print?

Please note the following points:

• Eligible businesses will only receive one discount towards the purchase of one approved software product up to a maximum of £5,000 (not including VAT).
• The financial discount covers 12 months’ worth of approved software product core costs, exclusive of VAT.

More information

For further information on the scheme please visit the government’s Help to Grow: Digital website.

 For general enquiries email sme.helptogrow@beis.gov.uk with details of:  

• The enquiry or feedback and any specific information that is relevant.
• A contact name and contact details.
• The customer or application reference number (if applicable). 

About the Author

Martin Johnson

Partner

With expertise in advising family-owned companies on a range of tax, accountancy and business issues, Martin also has an in-depth knowledge of the automotive and property sectors. In addition, he provides advice on inheritance tax planning and financial management to owner-managed businesses.  Martin leads the firm in developing its expertise in the buy-to-let sector, advising both residential and commercial property owners on relevant tax and legislation issues. A further element to Martin’s role is to build Torgersens’ relationships with banks, financial advisors and specialists in commercial and employment law to ensure that the firm’s clients have access to market-leading guidance.  

To get in touch please e-mail martin.johnson@torgersens.com.