Digitalization and digital platforms as a facilitator for project finance access for entrepreneurs: Exploratory study

Abstract

If you are not sure what digitalization is, allow us to explain it. The internet has seen a large increase in the amount of data available, and as more and more information becomes connected on the internet, we are seeing an exponential surge in the amount of data being produced and shared. This is known as 'the digital revolution'. Research defines the “digitalization” term as introducing digital technologies in business, firms, or lifestyle. This integration can enhance a firm’s competitiveness and increase their performance by offering services throughout virtual channels. Moreover, they can operationalize operations management firms. The major problem for entrepreneurs and project carriers is funding, this issue obstructs starters and funding seekers to start and develop their projects and ideas because of multiple conditions that should be respected by this target to get funding. There are a lot of funding mechanisms that have proven their effectiveness in promoting and supporting small and medium-sized projects. Countries are always seeking to give support and develop small projects to improve their idea and make it real in the market. In light of the digital revolution, many ways of funding small and medium projects are developed, by returning to the last experiences of leading countries and try to dress a new map of funding programs. This article aims to present an exploratory study of project funding through digital platforms as a facilitator for project finance access for entrepreneurs and funding seekers, and how it can be useful for entrepreneurs. Our sample is a combination of Experts, professional executives in charge of accompaniment, Engineers, and entrepreneurs. We are oriented to a qualitative approach for data collection. We will divide our study into two axes, the first axis dealt with the traditional mechanisms of funding and supporting small projects, and the second dealt with digital platforms as a facilitator of finance access for entrepreneurs and funding seekers. 

Keywords: Digitalization; Digital platforms; Entrepreneurs; Funding; Facilitator.

JEL Classification: M15, L26

Paper type: Empirical research