Small Business (SMB) stories

Expense reporting is evolving from a compliance task to a strategic tool, boosting business resilience, efficiency, and growth through real-time insights and automation.

Optus cuts prices on new Business nbn plans, adding faster speeds, 4G backup, and bundle discounts to support small businesses and simplify consumer choices.

Xplor Solutions partners with iplicit to offer UK SMEs accessible cloud finance software, aiming to bridge the technology gap in mid-market finance teams.

Phil Jackman retires as CEO of CyberNorth after eight years of boosting the North East's cyber security sector nationally and internationally.

On MSME Day 2025, Australia's small businesses face growing compliance challenges from new laws, risking productivity but solutions through automation offer hope.

Shopmonkey partners with Affirm to offer Canadian auto repair customers flexible pay-over-time plans with rates as low as 0% APR, boosting affordability.

CIBC Innovation Banking has funded the Norvestor-backed acquisition of Wint, boosting the Swedish accounting software firm's growth and expansion plans.

Lightspeed's Asia-Pacific MD Nicole Buisson says AI and smarter tech are vital for Aussie hospitality to tackle inflation, labour costs and changing consumer habits.

The PR Mastery App uses AI to help UK SMEs create press releases and gain media coverage affordably, bypassing costly traditional PR agencies.

Queensland's 2025-26 budget pledges AUD $130 million to support 495,000 small businesses and launches a AUD $1 billion fund for digital public services.

HPE launches unified Partner Ready Vantage programme to simplify enrolment and boost partner expertise in AI, cloud, and hybrid solutions globally.

Paydibs launches its NEO terminal in Malaysia, uniting multiple payment methods into one device to simplify transactions for MSMEs at MYR RM189.

Canadian moving service marketplace Top Move rebrands as Wise Move to unify its brand and expand globally with a transparent, digital-first platform.

Phishing-as-a-Service, powering 60-70% of attacks, is lowering barriers in cybercrime, letting novices launch large-scale scams in 2025.

Audra Security launches in the UK, offering easy-to-use internet security products for homes and small businesses without requiring IT expertise.

Payment Assist has launched a lending division offering loans and finance solutions to UK garages and dealerships, aiming to support growth and cashflow.

Optus offers new and existing mobile customers a free 12-month subscription to Perplexity Pro, an AI search valued at AUD $300, enhancing access to AI tools.

Business numbers in Australia have surged over 17% since 2019, led by healthcare growth and booming regions like Melton, Victoria, despite economic challenges.

Bundaberg leads Australia in small business growth with a 178% rise in startups last year, outpacing Sydney and other major cities.

Fundbox shifts from direct lending to embedding capital infrastructure in platforms, aiming to bridge the USD $2 trillion small business credit gap.