Small Business (SMB) stories - Page 5

ECI acquires Drypowder to embed AI-driven AR and digital payments into its ERP platforms for construction and building materials users.

Rainforest adds PayPal, Venmo and PayPal Pay Later to its unified checkout for vertical software, aiming to shift users from cash and cheques.

Google is rolling out Nano Banana 2 across Gemini, Search, Ads and Cloud, making its faster image model the default in key AI products.

Bliss Direct lifts daily order capacity to 300 and cuts weekly peak sales admin by 25 hours after deploying Forterro's Orderwise ERP platform.

Finance leaders warn of a risky 'AI middle' as many firms stall between pilots and governed, audit-ready use of automation in core workflows.

UK urges small firms to 'lock the door' on cyber crime as attacks cost businesses GBP £14.7 billion a year and basic defences lag.

Gamma launches International Operator Connect, letting UK partners sell Teams voice across Europe while offloading regulatory burdens.

Manchester's GBP £1.7bn Sister hub and Galway's Platform94 sign a 12-month pact to ease cross-Irish Sea expansion for start-ups.

Belfast tech firm SciLeads will create 60 fully remote roles over three years as it scales its life sciences market intelligence platform.

ClearCourse names new CFO, COO, AI and M&A heads to unify its software brands and accelerate growth towards 2026 ambitions.

Lydian app lets Clover merchants accept crypto from 300+ digital assets at checkout while still being settled in local fiat currency.

Start Tech leader Ian Groves wins second three-year term on GTIA's UK and Ireland Executive Council, strengthening his role in the IT channel.

Xero broadens its App Store with new global integrations spanning finance, automation, CRM and sector-specific tools for key markets.

Payoneer snaps up Ireland's Boundless to deepen its European workforce push and expand tools for hiring and paying cross-border teams.

Irish insolvencies fall 7% to 812 in 2025, but court liquidations and receiverships surge as creditors and tax authorities tighten enforcement.

Acronis appoints Jo Holliday as UK and Ireland General Manager to drive partner-led growth in its expanding cyber protection business.

Tech founders Julie Collison and Emma O'Brien top Tide everywoman awards as women-led firms eye growth despite tough UK backdrop.

UK and Irish SME bosses fear a worsening economy yet still plan to ramp up investment, betting on AI, innovation and sales growth in 2026.

Small businesses in the UK and Ireland face confusion and lack confidence in adopting AI, citing skills gaps and need for clearer guidance, research reveals.

UK and Ireland firms prioritise cybersecurity, AI adoption, and sustainable IT strategies as they gear up for evolving digital workplaces in 2024.