Small Business (SMB) Stories

Global Stories

Small Business (SMB) stories

Exclusive: Xero lifts half-year revenue 20% to NZD $1.2b

Free cash flow jumped 54% as Xero added 404,000 subscribers and lifted half-year revenue to NZD $1.194 billion, while profit also rose.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today

Robotics

Balnord urges Europe to scale deep-tech for defence

Europe must fix procurement and funding gaps if deep-tech is to become deployable defence capability, Balnord says.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Today

Digital Transformation

Xero launches Xforce AI support for accounting firms

Accounting firms facing heavier workloads will get hands-on AI help from Xero as it tests Xforce with design partners in three markets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Today

Artificial Intelligence

Simpro launches JustDo AI agent for trade businesses

Trade contractors could cut hours of paperwork as Simpro's new AI agent drafts jobs, quotes and orders from emails and files.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today

Digital Transformation

TD SYNNEX expands Destination AI for SMBs globally

Partners now have a standardised route to package AI for smaller customers, as the distributor adds SMB-specific tools and training worldwide.

By Shadda Lie Catugal • 4 min read • Yesterday

Digital Transformation

Euphoria Telecom urges SMEs to weigh tech buys carefully

Small firms risk costly failures if they buy software without first checking whether it will fit their staff, systems and support needs.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Yesterday

Fintech

MYOB wins strategic partner award for bookkeeping AI

The recognition underlines growing demand for AI skills in bookkeeping, as MYOB and the institute train practitioners to support small businesses.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • 3 days ago

Stories from Other Regions

Small Business (SMB) stories

Artificial Intelligence

Toronto startup launches business tools for young founders

With youth unemployment at 13 per cent in September, the platform aims to give novice founders practical guidance they may not get at home.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Today

Digital Transformation

Irish AI Awards name 60 finalists across 15 categories

The shortlist underscores Ireland's growing AI ecosystem, with entries ranging from healthcare to cybersecurity and public services across 15 categories.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Today

Manufacturing

British Business Bank adds GBP £40m to Harwood fund

The investment lifts Harwood Private Capital UK Fund II's first close to about GBP £120 million, backing smaller firms seeking growth capital.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today

Generative AI

AI assistants give patchy recommendations to NZ firms

Small businesses searching for AI help may see wildly different suppliers, as six assistants leaned heavily on a narrow set of online listicles and directories.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Yesterday

Customer Experience

Inclusive minutes: Why they make UCaaS easier to sell

By bundling calls into subscriptions, partners can cut telecoms billing complexity and make UCaaS easier to package, sell and scale.

By Mark Boden • 5 min read • Today

eCommerce

From online brand to first shopfront: how a world champion got funded with no shop to show

For online brands shifting into shopfronts, traditional lenders often need proof of trading before funding fit-outs and rent.

By Nick Lim • 3 min read • Yesterday

Human Capital Management

Employment Hero's UK revenue grows 84% as global ARR tops £200m

UK annual recurring revenue jumped 84% as the software group became free cash flow positive and expanded its customer base beyond 30,000 businesses.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Yesterday

Human Capital Management

BrightHR: Australian SMBs face considerable risks from payroll errors

Payroll mistakes can trigger wage theft claims, personal liability and reputational damage for Australian SMBs, even after honest errors.

By David Shilovsky • 5 min read • Yesterday

Cybersecurity

eir business launches cyber support scheme for Irish SMEs

The scheme will give 2,000 Irish SMEs €1,250 each, as research says cyber risk may cost the sector up to €3.4 billion a year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Human Capital Management

Employment Hero tops AUD $400 million in annual revenue

The Australian software group stayed free cash flow positive as recurring revenue rose AUD $100 million in 12 months to exceed AUD $400 million.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • 2 days ago

Large Language Models

Ansarada expands AI capabilities to streamline deals with OS Bondi 3.0

OS Bondi 3.0 to cut due diligence time and give deal teams faster risk flags, while keeping sensitive transaction data within a governed secure environment.

By David Shilovsky • 8 min read • 4 days ago