Tamaulipas SMEs face high failure rates within first three years

More than half of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tamaulipas, Mexico, fail to survive their first three years of operation. According to Mariana Álvarez Quero, head of the Subsecretaría para la Pequeña y Mediana Empresa, the first 24 months are the most critical period for a business due to liquidity shortages.

Key factors contributing to early closures include a lack of accessible credit, administrative errors, and a resistance to adopting digital tools to improve competitiveness. Businesses that successfully navigate these initial years see an increased life expectancy of between 7.8 and 8.4 years. Reaching the five-year mark is a significant milestone, as companies at this stage tend to stabilize and often double their market longevity.

To combat these challenges, the government recommends the “Hecho en Tamaulipas” program, which offers training, commercial networking, and subsidies. Authorities are also considering new support measures, such as subsidizing nutritional labeling studies and providing free barcodes to reduce initial costs for entrepreneurs.