National program continues in version 3.0 to give SMEs speed, guidance and a clear direction in the digital transformation
Small and medium-sized businesses are in the midst of a transformation with increasing global competition, increased cybersecurity requirements and the need for faster digital transformation. To meet these challenges, the Danish Business Promotion Board is relaunching the Enterprise Program in a new version, where digitalization and automation will be a central track.
The Business Program 3.0 builds on the experience from previous initiatives and will give approximately 2,300 SMEs access to sparring, advice and financial support by 2028. A total of DKK 312 million has been allocated, of which Erhvervshus Midtjylland will be responsible for implementing DKK 52.3 million for digitization and automation courses for companies throughout the country.
Digitization delivers tangible results
Evaluations from the Enterprise Program 2.0 show that the initiative is meeting a real need. 97 percent of participating companies assessed that the program had a positive effect on their productivity. At the same time, SME:Digital was the most sought-after track, with over 2,500 companies applying for support, and more than 650 companies have either completed or are working on their projects.
Demand has outstripped funding for several years, which is why digitalization and automation will play a more prominent role in the new program period.
“Digitization is one of the areas where we can most clearly see concrete results in companies’ everyday lives. We will take the experiences we have all gained with us in our future work, where digitalization and automation will also be a central part of the new initiative,” says Helle Berthold Rosenberg, Director of Erhvervshus Midtjylland.
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She also emphasizes that the business houses have a responsibility to ensure that as many companies as possible benefit from the initiative.
“Like the other business houses, we are passionate about helping small and medium-sized businesses become stronger. We have a clear obligation to support them because they help strengthen Denmark’s competitiveness. This is also why we are proud and humbled to help ensure that as many companies as possible benefit from the program,” she says.
From data to decision-making power
Among the companies that have already benefited from the initiative is the trend and analysis institute PEJ Gruppen. Director Louise Byg Kongsholm describes how the company was sitting on large amounts of data, but lacked structure and analytical overview.
“We often made decisions without having the full picture. That’s why we needed help to make the data more usable and create a common framework for our work,” she says.
Through the process, PEJ Gruppen developed a subscription value chain, defined key measurement points and built an analysis model that provided a much better insight into customer behavior.
“The program gave us pace, sparring and a clear direction,” says Louise Byg Kongsholm.
This type of experience helps legitimize a new and strengthened effort where companies must be able to quickly translate data and technology into concrete business benefits.
Easier access and broader deployment
The Enterprise Program 3.0 will also be easier to apply for than before. New, more flexible rules for market search, payment and signing will reduce administration and make it easier for companies to get started.
In addition to digitalization and automation, the program also includes efforts in sustainability, export, professionalization and grants for hiring new skills.
For Louise Byg Kongsholm, it is crucial that more companies have the opportunity to take the next step.
“Many companies have data but lack the time and methods to use it. A program like this provides both concrete tools and new knowledge that can be put to use immediately,” she says.