The Help to Grow Scheme is a programme become available in January 2022 that assists small and medium-sized businesses in identifying their digital technology needs and providing a discount to adopt new software and digital working methods. Businesses which meet the criteria may be eligible for the financial discount covering up to 50% of the cost of one approved technology package, up to a maximum of £5,000 (exclusive of Vat). The purpose of this financial incentive is to encourage businesses to adopt the most recent software. The scheme is divided into two sections: digital and management.
The Help to Grow Digital Scheme can be used for approved software that assist businesses in the following areas:
– Utilize e-commerce software to sell products online.
– Use accounting software to digitally manage the company’s finances.
– Using customer relationship management software to build customer relationships to increase sales.
Companies must satisfy all the requirements listed below to be eligible for the scheme:
- The company must be located in the United Kingdom;
- It must have no more than 249 employees and at least one employee who is not the business’ owner;
- The incorporation date of the company must have been at least 365 days prior to the application deadline and it must have been in business for a minimum of 12 months;
- It must be registered with Companies House;
- This is the first time the company is purchasing the authorised software.
Applicants must meet the requirements listed below in order to be eligible for the discount:
- Must be at least 18 years old;
- Must be an employee of a company;
- Must be able to guarantee that taking advantage of the financial discount won’t push the company’s overall threshold for Small Amounts of Financial Assistance or De Minimis over the limit;
- A person who has the authority to accept the terms and conditions on the company’s behalf.
To apply for a financial discount on approved software, the company must first confirm that it qualifies for the programme. After that, by clicking on the following link https://www.learn-to-grow-your-business.service.gov.uk/comparison-tool, it can choose the software from a list displayed on the Help to Grow Scheme page. The company can then proceed with the application by filling out a form with details about the organization and the goods it intends to sell. Up to three eligible products may be submitted. It is necessary to complete and submit a separate application for each product. Business leaders can take part in a 12-month series of courses through the Help to Grow Management programme, on the other hand, which is meant to help with the company’s performance, resiliency and long-term growth. To be eligible for the programme, the person must be employed in a senior management position.
Camilla Formicola
Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash
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