A commentary on gaps in funding for moderate 'non-stellar' growth small businesses in the United Kingdom

Over many years government interest has persisted in the general funding problems of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This concern has often concentrated on capital market failure in particular niche areas of the funding market. This paper has resulted from a specific interest of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in possible funding gaps experienced by 'non-stellar' growth SMEs. Such 'non-stellar' firms would be typified by substantial growth potential that is, nonetheless, insufficient to attract the funding needed in order to ensure prosperity. This paper comments on the evidence that exists either to support or to refute the existence of such a problem.