Abstract: the article considers measures of state support for small and medium-sized businesses in the Rostov region, operating in the field of innovative entrepreneurship. The role of small and medium-sized enterprises in maintaining and increasing the pace of economic development of the Russian Federation is described. The most important characteristics are given, which must be met by enterprises claiming the status of “small” and “medium”. Additionally the requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises that expect to receive state support are listed. The contribution of small and medium-sized businesses to the economy of the Rostov region is analyzed. Statistical information on the dynamics of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises over a number of years and the distribution structure of small and medium-sized enterprises of the Rostov region by type of economic activity are presented. It is shown that the most attractive area of activity for these categories of enterprises is trade. It was noted that in order to change the observed ratio, preference in organizing state support is given to small and medium-sized enterprises that are engaged in the field of innovative technologies. To achieve this goal in the region, the State Program of the Rostov Region “Economic Development and Innovative Economy” is being implemented, which includes 6 subprograms, including “Development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Rostov Region” and “Innovative Development of the Rostov Region”. The directions of state support for small and medium-sized innovative entrepreneurship are listed. Examples of activities that ensure the implementation of these areas of support are given. In general, the implementation of state support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises is assessed as quite successful, which is reflected in the Rostov Region occupying 19th place among all the subjects of the Russian Federation in 2017 according to the value of the Russian regional innovation index (RII).
Keywords: state support, small and medium-sized businesses, type of economic activity, innovative entrepreneurship, State program of the Rostov region, Russian regional innovation index