Current trends in the development of small and medium–sized businesses

Abstract

According to the World Bank, small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 90% of enterprises and more than 50% of jobs worldwide, they contribute almost 50% of gross domestic product (GDP) to global GDP. Small business is important for any economy in terms of employment and contribution to the national gross domestic product. Despite its importance, small businesses continue to face various unresolved problems. The latest technological innovations in the field of finance, which are collectively called fintech, seem to solve some problems, causing the development of a steady trend of digitalization of the sphere of small and medium–sized businesses. Fintech–based business models, such as crowdfunding, peer–to–peer lending, billing, mobile wallets and payments, as well as supply chain financing on the platform, are changing the ecosystem of small and medium–sized businesses. The article examines the current trends in the development of small and medium–sized businesses in the context of digital financial products developed within the framework of fintech innovations.