Small Business (SMB) Stories

Global Stories

Small Business (SMB) stories

SOCtoberfest Kickoff: The 7 Deadly Sins of Cybersecurity Meet CISA's Core Steps

SMBs face rising breach risk as the report says seven routine security failings, not advanced malware, drive most attacks, with ransomware in 88% of cases.

By Justin Carter • 5 min read • Today

Risk & Compliance

Cowbell launches AI risk advisor for policyholders

Small businesses insured by Cowbell can now get AI-guided cyber risk actions in plain English, with human experts on hand when needed.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Today

Partner Programmes

Schneider Electric expands SME decarbonisation scheme

SME suppliers in Schneider Electric's partner network will get carbon-tracking software and advisory support, after early pilots found savings opportunities.

By Raphael Veloso • 3 min read • Today

Manufacturing

European firms rush AI without clear outcomes, Rebura finds

Only 27% of AI projects reach production as boardroom pressure pushes European firms into ad-hoc experimentation, Rebura found.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Yesterday

Encryption

Should cybersecurity be nationalised?

As attacks increasingly spill across supply chains, policymakers are edging towards treating cyber security as a shared public good, not a private expense.

By Illka Gobius • 5 min read • Yesterday

Customer Relationship Management

Thryv urges recognition of women leading tech in SMBs

AI is moving technology decisions into customer and operations roles, giving more women a route to leadership in small businesses.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Last week

Small Business

Guinness Enterprise Centre builds UK hub links for start-ups

Irish start-ups hoping to sell in Britain will gain local contacts, workspace and market-entry support through a network of regional hubs by 2027.

By Raphael Veloso • 4 min read • Last week

Software-as-a-Service

Backbase appoints Roland Booijen as Chief Product Officer

The move puts AI agents at the heart of the bank software group's strategy as it targets faster service and more automated customer operations.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week

Software-as-a-Service

Shopify launches Canvas AI workspace for store design

Merchants can now tweak storefront layouts and code in one workspace, as Shopify rolls out Canvas to cut reliance on design expertise.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week

Stories from Other Regions

Small Business (SMB) stories

Fintech

Dext launches payments in Canada for QuickBooks & Xero

Canadian QuickBooks Online and Xero users can now process supplier and expense payments in one workflow, after beta users handled more than USD $2 million.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Today

Partner Programmes

NFON appoints Neil Coulthard to lead UK sales push

The move sharpens NFON's UK focus as it seeks more partner-led sales and a bigger share of the crowded cloud communications market.

By Raphael Veloso • 3 min read • Today

Small Business

NSW launches psychosocial advisory service as requests surge

With psychosocial requests more than doubling, the new hotline will give workers and employers earlier help on bullying, stress and mental harm.

By Mara Sugue • 5 min read • Today

Fintech

Settle secures USD $240 million facility to expand lending

The new funding should widen access to working capital for smaller product businesses as Settle expands support for bigger customers.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Today

Taxation

SimpleClosure teams with Intuit to close payroll accounts

Small businesses risk fees and penalties if state payroll tax accounts stay open after payroll stops, a gap this partnership aims to fix.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Today

Financial Systems

Finsider launches software for quality of earnings

The platform could speed up due diligence for lenders and buyers as new SBA rules make independent earnings reviews mandatory on some deals.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today

Small Business

inDrive loan uptake surges 118% across Latin America

The rise highlights demand for credit products tailored to gig workers who are often shut out of mainstream lending because their incomes are irregular.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today