SME
Also called: small and medium enterprise, SMB
ELI5
A smaller or medium-sized business under local rules.
Used in conversation
“The SME threshold differs across countries and programmes.”
Definition
Small or medium-sized enterprise, defined by jurisdiction-specific thresholds such as employees, revenue or assets.
Here “SME” means: Small or medium-sized enterprise, defined by jurisdiction-specific thresholds such as employees, revenue or assets.
Pitch context
You will see “SME” in fundraising decks, data rooms, term sheets and investor conversations when the discussion reaches startup stages & company states.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret startup stages & company states without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Connected terms
- Small businessThe search label “SME” can route to both entries.
- Subject-matter expertThe search label “SME” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 5
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Small Business Capital Formation GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Exempt OfferingsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Venture Capital Association — Model Legal DocumentsSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Safe financing documentsSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Series A Term Sheet TemplateSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16