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Small Business (SMB) Stories - Page 15

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Small Business (SMB) stories

CFOs widen remit as firms seek broader finance chiefs
Digital Transformation

CFOs widen remit as firms seek broader finance chiefs

Broader finance roles are making CFO pay and hiring harder to benchmark, with many chief financial officers now overseeing operations, IT and HR.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Wed, 22nd Jul 2026
Custom Travel Solutions wins Silver for AI customer support
Digital Transformation

Custom Travel Solutions wins Silver for AI customer support

Its AI overhaul has cut quality review time by 80% and lifted customer sentiment 11% since 2023, as travel support volumes rose.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Wed, 22nd Jul 2026
Businesses overpay on cross-border payments, PayDo says
Fintech

Businesses overpay on cross-border payments, PayDo says

Half of firms may be losing up to 20% on international transfers, with fragmented provider setups driving extra fees and slower settlement.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Wed, 22nd Jul 2026
Zoom appoints Carlos Quaderi as Head of Asia Pacific
Software-as-a-Service

Zoom appoints Carlos Quaderi as Head of Asia Pacific

The promotion widens Zoom's regional push as it targets enterprise and AI growth across Australia, India, Korea and Southeast Asia.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
Lightspeed adds AI & operational tools for merchants
Software-as-a-Service

Lightspeed adds AI & operational tools for merchants

Merchants in more than 100 countries will get quicker access to real-time data as the platform adds AI assistants and workflow tools.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
Netchex launches AI HR teammates for deskless workers
Software-as-a-Service

Netchex launches AI HR teammates for deskless workers

Frontline employers could cut payroll errors and admin time as the early access rollout targets hotels, clinics and other deskless workplaces.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Small Business (SMB) stories

ATO tax debts lift insolvency risk for Australian firms
Data Analytics

ATO tax debts lift insolvency risk for Australian firms

More than 35,000 Australian businesses now face heightened failure risk as ATO debts above AUD $100,000 coincide with rising defaults.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Wed, 22nd Jul 2026
SMEC AI launches national line to aid SME AI adoption
Digital Transformation

SMEC AI launches national line to aid SME AI adoption

A free phone service aims to help Australian small businesses move beyond early AI trials, after research found most do not know where to begin.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Wed, 22nd Jul 2026
Eltropy summit to gather credit union leaders in Monterey
Digital Transformation

Eltropy summit to gather credit union leaders in Monterey

More than 90 credit union and community bank executives will discuss economy, AI and growth at Eltropy's invitation-only summit in Monterey.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Wed, 22nd Jul 2026
KEO Capital launches Canada push with USD $50m loan
Manufacturing

KEO Capital launches Canada push with USD $50m loan

Canadian mid-market firms will gain access to local-currency supplier payments as KEO Capital opens in Toronto with a USD $50 million lending line.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Wed, 22nd Jul 2026
UK cybersecurity startups surge as scaleups stay rare
Data Protection

UK cybersecurity startups surge as scaleups stay rare

Funding shortages and weak customer demand are limiting UK cybersecurity startups' path to scale, despite a 252% surge in new firms.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
British Business Bank backs EQT health sciences fund
Health Technologies

British Business Bank backs EQT health sciences fund

Backing later-stage UK health tech and medtech firms, the British Business Bank has committed EUR €25 million to EQT Life Sciences' fund.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
Salesforce launches SMB Growth Kit for India's firms
Software-as-a-Service

Salesforce launches SMB Growth Kit for India's firms

Indian SMBs can go live in four to six weeks as Salesforce bundles sales, chat and analytics tools with setup support.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
CIMA urges tax & skills reset to back business growth
Human Capital Management

CIMA urges tax & skills reset to back business growth

Businesses want clearer tax rules and broader training support as CIMA warns weak productivity could hold back UK growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
PhishByte warns Essential Eight misses phishing risk
Multi-factor authentication

PhishByte warns Essential Eight misses phishing risk

Businesses risk false confidence if they meet the ACSC framework but leave staff exposed to phishing, social engineering and fake MFA prompts.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
Revolut launches Australian bank after licence win
Digital Transformation

Revolut launches Australian bank after licence win

Australia-based customers will soon get savings accounts and a credit card as Revolut commits nearly AUD $400 million to its local banking push.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
Tax Traders appoints Chloe Kyrke-Smith as Head of Product
Software-as-a-Service

Tax Traders appoints Chloe Kyrke-Smith as Head of Product

The hire signals a push beyond tax pooling as the fintech widens its product suite for accountants and small businesses.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Tue, 21st Jul 2026
Zen launches business fund for UK customer milestones
Digital Transformation

Zen launches business fund for UK customer milestones

Small UK firms buying eligible services could win cash as the broadband provider rewards milestones like hiring staff or moving premises.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Mon, 20th Jul 2026