New report: Opening doors for small businesses in government supply chains

Small businesses bring innovation, resilience and local impact to the UK economy. Yet when it comes to supplying the public sector, many still find the process too complex or closed off to take part.

The Supply Connect report 2025, created by Enterprise Nation and Newable with support from JPMorganChase, looks at how that can change.

Every year, the UK government spends around £300 billion on goods and services. Despite this, small and medium-sized businesses – which make up 99% of all UK firms – win only a small share of those contracts.

The report draws on insights from 200 SMEs and shares the real experiences of founders who've tried to work with government.

Their stories show how confusing language, rigid frameworks and repetitive compliance steps make it harder for smaller suppliers to compete.

They also reveal the potential that's being lost – and what could happen if the system opened up.

Supply Connect was created to help fix this. It's a new model for unlocking government procurement for small businesses, built around three things:

• A digital supplier hub that connects SMEs with opportunities

• A national training network to build supplier readiness

• Partnerships that open doors to major government frameworks

The goal is simple: make it easier for small businesses to register, get support and bid for public sector work with confidence.

The report offers a clear picture of what needs to change – and how initiatives like Supply Connect can make a real difference.

If you want your business to explore public sector opportunities, this is a good place to start.

Read the full Supply Connect report

Take your next step

Public sector contracts aren't just for the big players. With the government actively encouraging SMEs to take part, your business could be exactly what buyers are looking for. Register now