• A new study indicates that micro-enterprises are responsible for more than seven out of ten jobs generated in Spain. However, they continue to face difficulties in tackling the digital transition

• Spanish SMEs are responsible for 72% of private employment and almost two-thirds of business GDP. Not surprisingly, they are the main baseline of the Spanish production system, although their innovation remains a “pending subject.” Furthermore, of these, 94.4% are micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees

This is reflected in the recent Emprende Report study, prepared by Holded and Toluna Corporate, based on interviews with more than 1,500 entrepreneurs.

According to the document, only 18% of SMEs consider themselves innovative. A figure clearly lower than the 52% of large companies. Furthermore, the average investment in innovation made by these smaller businesses barely reaches 1.2% of their turnover; while larger companies invest three times more in this area, due to different factors.

The report also highlights the difficulties in accessing financing, investing in technology, or facing digital transformation processes with greater ambition when it comes to micro-enterprises.

Likewise, more than 60% of entrepreneurs claim to have had difficulties accessing bank credit. Meanwhile, only 25% of those surveyed believe that the available institutional support is adequate.

Regarding the use of digital tools, 96% of entrepreneurs already use some digital tool. The most widely used are cloud solutions and social networks. The latter are considered essential by one in four businesses, which acknowledge “having grown thanks to them.”

Within an increasingly digital context, companies maintain the use of external consultancies.

On the other hand, teamwork with external consultancies remains a common practice. Half of the entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals rely on one, with sectors such as hospitality or construction using these services the most. Meanwhile, businesses with a simpler operating model prefer self-management, such as education or e-commerce.

In addition, the employment of freelance professionals has also increased, with 62% of SMEs already making use of them as a resource to help multiply their turnover.

Source: AyE