Small Business (SMB) stories

Decidr and ICON team up to bring AI-driven Procure-to-Pay automation to SAP users across Asia-Pacific, targeting high-volume finance tasks.

Canva launches Magic Layers beta, using AI to turn flat PNG and JPG images into editable, layered designs across key English-speaking markets.

Entrepreneurs increasingly see AI as a tool for efficiency and cost-cutting, not a springboard to new markets or sustainability goals.

AI 'leaders' in finance rush to pilots but lack rules, data and governance to scale tools into core, high‑accountability workflows.

SMBs are bullish on AI but a new ECI report finds poor data, scarce skills and unclear use cases are stalling real-world results.

AI is speeding up shorter workdays but piling on more tasks, with rising collaboration, multitasking and weekend work, a study finds.

SeeBiz launches a social B2B wholesale marketplace, blending product catalogues, ordering tools and feed-based networking for trade users.

Mastercard launches its Virtual C-Suite AI agents, starting with a Virtual CFO, to give small firms automated executive-style insights.

Cohesity debuts sovereign cloud tie-ups, AI-driven threat tools and midsize bundle to harden data protection as enterprises scale AI.

LastPass launches Secure Access Essentials, a browser-focused suite to secure access to workplace apps, SaaS and unsanctioned AI tools.

IVECO adds AI theft recovery to its connected services, offering 24/7 managed stolen vehicle assistance to boost commercial fleet security.

Nvidia survey finds AI now widely embedded in operations, driving revenue gains, cost cuts and fresh spend as firms move beyond pilots.

Google has picked 14 Canadian AI startups for its latest accelerator cohort, spanning healthcare, finance, industry and agriculture.

Gallagher Security marketing director Melissa Vidakovic has been named to SIA's 2026 Women in Security Forum Power 100 list.

Airwallex launches Yield for US firms after topping USD $1bn in assets, offering instant-access treasury via a J.P. Morgan money market fund.

AI startup Mega raises USD $11.5m to expand its automated marketing platform, pitching a software alternative to traditional ad agencies.

Swift enlists over 50 banks to launch common rules for faster, clearer cross-border retail payments, with first flows live by June.

Wise forecasts that by 2026 agentic AI will run core business tasks, pushing firms to embed tools, tighten oversight and rethink outsourcing.

Airwallex hits USD $1bn in assets for its Yield product as it launches in the US, targeting SMEs seeking returns on operational cash.

NE2NE rolls out expanded PDFFlex AI to turn complex payroll PDFs into structured data, cutting onboarding time and manual processing.