Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

A third of UK SMEs back R&D for growth in 2025

by February 3, 2025
February 3, 2025
A third of UK SMEs back R&D for growth in 2025

A new report suggests that a third of the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are relying on research and development (R&D) to power their growth plans for 2025.

Despite difficult economic conditions, the “Geared for Growth 2025” study by alternative finance provider Growth Lending indicates that strategic investments in technology, talent and innovation could help many firms stay competitive.

According to the findings, 33% of SMEs see R&D as central to innovation and long-term success, while 40% anticipate revenue growth of between 5% and 10% over the coming year. Investment in advanced digital tools and processes is also a key priority, with 16% of respondents highlighting technology integration—such as AI, automation and cloud computing—as a significant driver of their expansion plans.

This focus on R&D extends beyond new products. Many firms are harnessing innovation to refine operations and respond to shifting market demands, ensuring they stay relevant in fast-changing sectors. However, challenges remain. With skilled labour in short supply, 12% of SMEs cite talent shortages as a major obstacle, and 16% place talent acquisition at the heart of their strategy to secure future growth.

Commenting on the research, Kimberley Martin, managing director at Growth Lending, said: “The challenges of the current economic environment persist for SMEs. With rising costs and talent shortages creating additional barriers to growth and innovation, businesses must focus on strategic investments to stay competitive.

“R&D is a critical growth driver, allowing businesses to innovate and adapt to shifting market demands. The difficulty is that traditional funding options don’t always meet the needs of high-growth businesses, with rigid criteria and long application processes restricting their eligibility. To bridge this gap, alternative lenders can offer the flexibility and understanding required to support ambitious SMEs, enabling them to overcome these barriers, invest in innovation, and build resilience throughout 2025.”

With technology and talent at the forefront of their plans, UK SMEs appear increasingly confident they can weather economic uncertainties. Whether looking to scale rapidly or simply stand apart from the crowd, many are relying on R&D and digital transformation to secure a competitive edge in the year ahead.

Read more:
A third of UK SMEs back R&D for growth in 2025

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Over one million taxpayers face fines after missing self-assessment deadline
next post
Six things that Americans could be paying more for under Trump tariffs

You may also like

Why an all-in-one holistic approach to security is...

March 6, 2023

Goldman Sachs and Deloitte roll back diversity initiatives...

February 12, 2025

Electric car prices slashed as manufacturers push to...

November 6, 2024

Tripmates launches to simplify group trip planning and...

October 8, 2024

London nursery fees could hit 80% of the...

February 23, 2023

Extraordinarily low unemployment means labour shortages of very...

September 13, 2022

Mattel Introduces New Cooperative Scrabble Mode to Foster...

April 9, 2024

Bryan Robson secures partial victory in IR35 dispute...

January 22, 2025

Appeal decision finds Haribo’s gummy bear figurative trade...

November 27, 2023

Next UK government to benefit from easing inflation...

July 3, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Skoda overtakes Tesla in Europe as EV buyers turn to cheaper alternatives

      June 25, 2025
    • Aston Martin resumes US exports after Trump tariffs lifted

      June 25, 2025
    • Bernie Moreno wants Senate to call for Nobel Peace Prize to go to Trump

      June 25, 2025
    • Iran, Israel and US agree that Islamic Republic nuclear sites were ‘badly damaged’ despite leaked intel report

      June 25, 2025
    • UN’s atomic agency’s Iran policy gets mixed reviews from experts after US-Israel ‘obliterate’ nuclear sites

      June 25, 2025
    • Democratic congressman hurls profanity-laced message at Stephen Miller

      June 25, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,313)
    • Investing (2,072)
    • Politics (15,801)
    • Stocks (3,167)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved