What constitutes a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)?

A small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) is typically defined based on specific criteria that include employee count and annual turnover. This definition helps to categorize businesses into manageable segments that can be targeted for support, policies, and financial aid. In many jurisdictions, SMEs are characterized by having a certain number of employees—often fewer than 250—and specific thresholds for their annual turnover or balance sheet total.

Using both employee count and annual turnover provides a comprehensive picture of the business's size, allowing for an effective classification that recognizes various business models and their economic impact. This designation is critical for understanding the role SMEs play in the economy, including job creation and innovation.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately encapsulate the full definition of SMEs. Merely focusing on employee count or referencing a firm with significant market capitalization fails to consider the necessity of annual turnover as a key metric. Similarly, a solo professional or freelance operation may not meet the broader criteria that encompass SMEs, as they typically do not employ additional staff or generate the turnover expected from small businesses defined under this category.