Small Business (SMB) stories

Ant International taps AI-driven fintech to power over 2 billion cross-border payments and turbocharge SME growth in emerging markets.

Paydibs launches Nexus eCommerce suite and Mini POS tool to cut digitalisation costs and simplify payments for Malaysia’s 1.1m MSMEs.

Progress predicts 2026 will mark a shift from AI pilots to orchestrated, governed platforms, widening the gap between leaders and laggards.

Most Australians think they can spot AI scams, but new research shows fewer than half can correctly identify deepfake images in tests.

AI will reshape risk, trust and compliance in 2026 as firms swap hype for embedded tools, tighter controls and higher regulatory scrutiny.

Canada commits CAD $244.2m to new DI Assist scheme, backing SMEs to develop defence and dual-use tech and bolster its industrial base.

ScotlandIS issues a final call for Digital Technology Awards 2026 entries, adding an AI Trailblazer category before 13 January deadline.

Kent tech founder Ben Towers, 27, wins an MBE in the New Year Honours for his work backing startups and shaping the UK’s AI strategy.

Paydibs backs direct access to Malaysia’s payment rails and global wallets to cut costs, speed settlements and boost SME resilience.

Yealink launches SP92 speakerphone and BH71 Pro headset at Officeworks, targeting hybrid workers needing clearer calls in noisy spaces.

Mitsumi unveils India push with INR ₹700-1,000 crore IT and mobile distribution expansion across metros and smaller cities over 3 years.

Zyxel Networks’ USG FLEX 50HP firewall has been crowned Security Hardware of the Year at the 2025 PC Pro Excellence Awards in the UK.

Seagate has begun shipping 32TB CMR hard drives for AI-driven video and analytics, targeting edge security, NAS and cloud data centre workloads.

Firewalla’s App 1.67 brings WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise Wi‑Fi, expanded RADIUS and new AP7 controls aimed at small firms and power users.

CrowdStrike teams with Nord Security to bundle Falcon tools with secure access for SMBs via NordLayer and MSP marketplace Pax8.

UK sole traders face mounting year-end tax pressure as Making Tax Digital nears, driving a surge in software and AI adoption to save time.

AI is fuelling a boom in solo UK “Founder + AI” ventures as entrepreneurs favour lean, automated operations over hiring staff.

Most UK sole traders are still in the dark over Making Tax Digital, with 70% unaware of looming income tax reporting changes from 2026.

Australian employers now take an average of five weeks to hire staff, with delays driving heavier workloads, project setbacks and lower morale.

Firewalla Orange debuts as a pocket-sized Wi-Fi 7 router and firewall, bringing Zero Trust-style protection to homes, offices and travellers.