Channel companies hoping to pitch products to UK SMEs could be out of luck.
New figures suggest SMEs are postponing their investment plans as they grapple with increased costs and inflationary pressures.
The Enterprise Nation Small Business Barometer found a 26 per cent drop in businesses looking to raise seed capital under £10,000 in the year’s second quarter. In comparison, the number seeking between £10,000 and £20,000 rose by eight per cent, suggesting more businesses are self-funding growth plans.
Despite that, growth expectations have been revised for this quarter by six percentage points, with 27 per cent expecting to grow by at least a quarter in the next three months, up from 21 per cent.
Security outfit Avast has announced a strategic partnership with Enterprise Nation small business network and business support provider, which will see it become the exclusive cybersecurity partner for the UK national network.
The partnership aims to deliver key cybersecurity resources and training for more than half a million UK small businesses to help them securely operate and thrive in today’s digital economy.
According to the Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Study 2021, 39 percent and a quarter of charities reported cyberattacks in the last 12 months. The study also suggested that the threat level was potentially higher over the pandemic as businesses found it harder to administer security effectively.
Avast VP Worldwide Channel & Alliances Marc Botham said: “SMBs are the lifeblood of the UK economy, and they have faced unprecedented challenges in recent times, including temporary closures of their businesses, implementing remote working, and scaling e-commerce for sales and customer communication. For many, they have had to do this without dedicated, or at best minimal, IT support in the face of increased cyberattacks. The focus now must be on post-Covid business recovery and growth. We are committed to working with Enterprise Nation to support SMBs by providing them with the tools, resources, and insights they need to optimise their digital possibilities securely and effectively.”
Channel companies hoping to pitch products to UK SMEs could be out of luck.
