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Micro-Businesses on the Rise
SMEs outpace large firms in job creation, here’s how.
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Hey there👋
Think Big Companies Rule Everything? Think again!
ONS 2024 data reveals micro-businesses created more jobs than large firms from 2019-2022. This isn’t just a stat, it’s a paradigm shift. Agility, innovation, and niche targeting are reshaping the competitive landscape. Are you ready to harness these traits and stay ahead in the game?
💡 Good to Know
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Here’s an overview of recent developments:
Energy Innovation: Transform mines into green heating networks, webinars this February.
Spend Watch: £372.3M awarded; construction leads, Midlands dominate, SMEs shine.
Opportunities: £475M JV North housing framework, stand out with sustainability.
Top News: £12.3B UK-Iraq trade deal & AI transforming education.
Let’s dive into the details👇
DAILY SPEND WATCH
📊 Public Sector Spending Analysis: Contracts Finder Report January 13, 2025
Market Volume
180 contracts awarded totaling £372.3M, with an average value of £2.07M per contract, showing a balanced mix of project sizes. Construction dominates with £157.8M (42.4%), healthcare following at £98.2M (26.4%), and professional services at £67.1M (18%). Notable shift towards medium-sized project allocations compared to previous weeks.
Sector Dynamics
Infrastructure investment remains robust through construction sector leadership, particularly in public works and facility modernization. Healthcare procurement shows strategic focus on equipment modernization and service delivery enhancement. Professional services surge indicates increasing demand for specialized expertise in public sector transformation initiatives.
Business Distribution
Mid-tier companies secure 45% of contracts in £1M-£5M range, while SMEs show strong presence in sub-£1M segment (35% of total awards). Regional distribution reveals Midlands dominance (28%) followed by Northern England (25%), marking a shift from traditional London-centric allocation. Today's awards suggest increasing geographical diversification in public procurement strategies.
OPPORTUNITY PICKS
Opportunity Overview
Buyer: JV North Limited
Location: North West England
Contract Value: £475M
Duration: August 2025 – July 2029
Scope: New build housing, conversion, and remodeling projects.
💡 Winning Strategies
Emphasize value-added services beyond the brief.
Stand out by proposing innovative approaches, like modular housing or energy-efficient designs, that align with JV North’s focus on sustainable neighborhoods. Highlight measurable benefits such as reduced costs, faster build times, or long-term environmental impacts.
Why This Matters: Buyers often look for more than compliance, they want partners who can deliver exceptional outcomes and align with broader community goals.
NEWS
Big moves for Winkworth Machinery! This Basingstoke-based industrial mixer giant just secured £750k in government-backed financing through UKEF and HSBC UK.
Why it matters:
Expansion to the USA, Asia, and Middle East
Job creation in Basingstoke & Dudley
Investing in advanced tech for better products.
📈 UKEF’s support reduces financial risks, fueling Winkworth’s international growth.
New Era Alert! Iraqi PM visits Downing Street, sparking major trade and migration collaborations.
Key Updates:
£12.3B export package = Huge UK business opportunities!
Talks for swift migrant returns begin.
Deals on water, energy, telecoms & defence.
📢 Borders secured, trade expanded. Ready to explore global markets?
£1M awarded to 16 ed-tech firms to create AI tools that cut marking time by 50%, enabling more classroom interaction.
Smarter Feedback, Better Results
Tools trained on UK-specific data deliver 92% accuracy, boosting performance and breaking barriers.
🎯 Join the Future of Learning!
Discover how AI transforms education today!
TECHNOLOGY
🗺️ Minduck: Transform thoughts into AI-powered visual mind maps
💼 Composio: AI-powered sales agent toolkit with multi-app integration
🧠 Vortn: AI second brain for knowledge management and workflow
TIP OF THE DAY
💡 Want to integrate technology into procurement?
Utilize Cloud-Based Solutions: Adopt cloud technology for better data management and accessibility across teams, work smarter, not harder!
Implement E-Procurement Systems: Streamline purchasing processes with e-procurement tools that enhance efficiency and reduce paperwork!
Leverage Data Analytics Tools: Use analytics to gain insights into spending patterns and supplier performance, data-driven decisions lead to better outcomes!
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Until next time!
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