Most scalers operate in less knowledge-intensive services
The funding mix of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises differs from that of large firms
SMEs systematically perceive a more limited access to external financing
Access to finance remains the primary barrier to innovation among small firms
The number of policy initiatives in place increases with the number of institutions involved and the intensity of targeting efforts
Not all institutions promoting scale up finance are responsible for SME&E policy
There is a high number of institutions involved in scale up finance policies, with different degrees of decentralisation
Few initiatives embed additional coordination mechanisms by design
Most scale up finance policies are targeted
Some countries place a stronger focus on start-ups and high-growth firms, but not all
Scale up finance policy mixes are not geared towards the same drivers
First in line of sight: disruptive innovation, investment in physical capital and global expansion
Scale up finance support is targeted first and foremost to SMEs, and to a lesser extent to the finance market and institutional actors
Policies directed at SMEs use mainly a mix of grants & subsidies and public loans
Equity dominates the funding mix for SME innovation
Large firms are more advanced users of big data analysis than small firms
Smaller firms offer less ICT training to employees
SMEs are less prepared to protect their data through IPRs
Implementing institutions most often have innovation policy as their core mandate
Countries place a stronger focus on improving SMEs’ internal capacity to manage data
Data governance policies are relatively targeted, but initiatives specifically around data issues and for at SMEs are rare