Winning a contract is often celebrated as a milestone for a small business, but for many entrepreneurs, it is only the beginning of a far tougher journey. According to Maren, this funding shortfall, described as an ‘execution gap,’ often emerges before businesses receive their first payment. ‘When a small business cannot fund delivery, the impact extends far beyond the single business,’ he highlights. ‘Growth for a small business rarely happens in a smooth, linear line; it often arrives suddenly with a breakthrough contract,’ he stated. Discussions around SME finance have become increasingly prominent in South Africa as entrepreneurs, business organisations and development agencies continue searching for practical ways to stimulate economic growth and employment.