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SMEs

Technology SMEs are the foundation of the UK's technology sector. They drive innovation, create jobs and bring new products and services to market. From ambitious start-ups to established specialist organisations, SMEs support growth, productivity and competitiveness across the economy.

We support SMEs, helping them access new opportunities, navigate policy and regulation, and build valuable relationships. Through our SME community, we'll help you raise your profile, access markets and connect with partners and decision-makers.

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OUR TAKE

Innovation grows when ambitious organisations can scale and shape what comes next.

SMEs play a critical role in developing new solutions, strengthening supply chains and driving innovation across the economy. Their agility and specialist expertise help bring emerging technologies to market and accelerate technology adoption across sectors.

We work with industry, government and regulators to remove barriers to growth, creating opportunities for SMEs to access new markets, build partnerships and shape the policies that affect them.

  • Global Context

    SMEs increasingly operate in a highly competitive international market, where access to talent, investment and customers determines future success. Countries that support innovative SMEs to grow successfully are more likely to attract investment, strengthen productivity and create globally competitive technology sectors. Digital technologies continue to create opportunities for SMEs to expand internationally, enter new sectors and build globally competitive organisations from the UK

  • UK Strategic Impact

    SMEs contribute innovation, specialist expertise and employment across every region of the UK. Their success strengthens local economies, supports high-skilled jobs and encourages competition across markets. Supporting SME growth will remain essential to the UK's position as one of the world's leading technology economies, and a destination for entrepreneurship and investment.

  • SME community
    SME members represented by techUK600+
  • Government opportunity
    Annual SME spending target by 2028£7.4bn
  • Industry access
    Workstreams supporting SME policy engagement21
  • Networking
    Events held annually across techUK500+

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Related Groups

Cyber SME Forum

The CSMEF seeks to include a broad grouping of different SME companies working in the Cyber Resilience sectors.

Growth Council

The Growth Council lead our work on economic growth and act as a sounding board for the Government and MPs as the UK seeks to increase the rate of economic growth by leveraging technology and the UK tech sector.

Scale-Up Council

Working together to oversee the strategic leadership and direction of techUK's scale-up programme

Security and Public Safety SME Forum

Connecting with peers and potential collaborators across a broad range of SMEs from National Security and Justice and Emergency Services.

Related Members

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Our Subject Matter Experts

  • Ed Bevan

    Ed Bevan

    Head of SME Engagement

    Ed is Head of SME Engagement and is responsible for shaping techUK’s proposition to our SMEs across the country, ensuring our policy work, market access activity and services benefit the SME community. Prior to working at techUK, Ed worked at the Department for International Trade, engaging with a variety of businesses, particularly SMEs, to understand the benefits of Free Trade Agreements and act as case studies in press and social media. Ed has also worked in policy and public affairs within the voluntary sector, namely the Alzheimer’s Society and the Men’s Health Forum. Ed holds a MA in International Relations from Leiden University, and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his son, travelling, and visiting historical sites.

  • Edward Emerson

    Edward Emerson

    Head - Digital Economy

    Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes scale-up and entrepreneurship policy, industrial policy, innovation and tech adoption. He also leads techUK's policy development process around major fiscal events such as the Autumn Budget, working closely with teams across the organisation. Prior to joining techUK in 2024, he worked as a DCMS civil servant covering parliamentary process, and spent a time as a public affairs consultant.

  • Stephanie Barr

    Stephanie Barr

    Senior Programme Manager - SME Engagement Nations and Regions

    Stephanie is the Senior Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK. Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies. Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.