This research paper assesses the impact of participation in the Enterprise Connect (EC) program on business performance. The Enterprise Connect program provided advisory services and grants to Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) between 2009 and 2014.
Key findings:
- Firms that participated in the EC program performed more strongly than similar Australian business.
- EC participants had higher growth in turnover, employment and capital expenditure—driven by micro and other businesses with small numbers of employees.
- EC participants also had higher survival rates than other firms.
- Firms that participated in both the EC program and the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) program had stronger turnover growth than firms which only participated in the RDTI program.
Author: Angelina Bruno