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Small, medium enterprises (SME) and micro enterprises (ME) predominate in most seaplant value chains. The term “SME” covers a wide range of business types, from the self-employed to multinational publicly listed companies. SME are enterprises with fewer than 250 employees and with an annual turnover not exceeding ECU 40 million or an annual balance-sheet total not exceeding ECU 27 million. The term “micro” can refer to enterprises involving as few as one person. Family farms are generally examples of micro enterprises. Such enterprises are virtually the sole form of enterprise producing eucheuma seaplant crops. SME and ME tend to be closely held among members of one or a few extended families; tend to be owner operated; and tend to keep critical core competencies such as technical knowledge within the owner group as much as possible.

SEAPlant.Net is one of several projects that is being launched in support of the Agribusiness Linkages program of PENSA.

PENSA program activities are aligned closely with the work of governments, with the private sector and with non-government organization (NGO) initiatives throughout eastern Indonesia. In Indonesia, as in other tropical Asian countries, large foreign companies buy much seaplant production but an abundance of informal micro- and small- businesses tend to dominate the foundation links of seaplant value chains. To quote the PENSA website:

"There are few businesses in the middle - the formal, stable enterprises averaging 20-100 employees. Many of PENSA's services are geared toward this under-represented small-medium sub-sector. This group has the stability and the flexibility to adjust to the nation's volatile economic, political, and business climate. However, they are not well-served by existing markets and institutions. PENSA products and services... aim to expand financial access for all small- and medium- sized businesses. Part of the work involves technical assistance and capacity building efforts that leverage the capabilities of the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group, donors, NGOs, the business community and partners."