Small and medium-sized firms could get a discount of up to 50 per cent on the costs of business software under the new Help to Grow scheme, it has been revealed.
The news comes after applications to register interest in the initiative opened this month.
The Help to Grow scheme – split into a digital and management programme - was announced earlier this year to help businesses “build back better” after the pandemic.
Under the digital programme, eligible firms can access “free impartial advice” on how technology can boost their performance and get a discount of up to 50 per cent on the costs of approved software, worth up to £5,000.
According to the Government, vouchers are available for software that can help businesses:
- build customer relationships and increase sales
- make the most of selling online, and/or
- manage their accounts and finances digitally.
While all businesses can benefit from the advice portion of the scheme, your business must meet the below requirements to be eligible for a software voucher:
- employ between five and 249 employees and are registered at Companies House
- have been trading for more than 12 months, and
- are purchasing the discounted software for the first time.
The Help to Grow: Management programme, meanwhile, will include a 90 per cent subsidised 12-week professional development course, covering the basics of financial management, innovation and digital adoption.
The Government said full details of the Help to Grow: Digital and Help to Grow: Management scheme will be published later this summer.
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