Do SMEs know how to raise funds? KSE Institute conducts a survey on business needs and challenges

The KSE Institute has launched a large-scale survey among SME representatives to find out what financial instruments they are aware of and what barriers they face in the process of raising funds. This survey is part of an educational and mentoring program to improve access to finance and promote investment readiness among Ukrainian businesses.

The responses from entrepreneurs will help to understand which companies are more likely to seek financing, based on business size, industry, and ownership structure. In addition, the study will identify which financial instruments are already known to entrepreneurs and which remain unknown to them. The focus will be on analyzing the typical challenges companies face. This will help experts figure out what kind of support—from training to application support—businesses need the most. The survey results will help build an effective dialogue between SMEs, banks, and other financial market players.

Based on feedback from respondents, the KSE Institute will develop specific recommendations for the government, private companies, international partners, and businesses themselves. The implementation of the analysts’ proposals will improve access to financing by adapting current support programs and developing new ones that are more responsive to the real needs of companies.

Participation in the study is an opportunity for every entrepreneur to contribute to improving financial instruments and facilitating the raising of funds in the future. We therefore encourage representatives of small and medium-sized businesses to actively participate in the survey to share their experiences, problems, and needs regarding financing.