PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESS, PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Digital State of Small Business
2026 Small Business Tech Use Survey

Small Business Owners Accelerate Adoption and Investments in Digital Solutions, Reject “Doom and Gloom” Narrative on AI

● 77% express optimism about the use and adoption of AI, and only 9% self-identify as “doom and gloomers”
● 82% of small business employers invest in AI tools. Total owner/employee time (16.5 hours per week) using AI amounts to yearly savings for small businesses of $243.6 billion
● 93% plan to keep making investments in AI over the next year
● 74% of small business owners say digital platforms make it easier to compete with larger firms, and 93% use multiple channels to drive sales
● Six in ten small businesses either use or plan to adopt automated pricing tools (35% have adopted AI-enabled pricing)
● 98% of Amazon small sellers report the platform’s pricing structure is fair and allows them to compete

Access the press release with highlights of the findings here, and the full 2026 Small Business Tech Use Survey report here.

Check Up Survey 2026

Small Business Check Up Survey
(February 2026)

Resilient 2025 Performance Fuels 2026 Momentum

● 92% of small business owners describe their current business condition as stable or
growing.
● 71% report YoY improvement in financial performance from 2024 to 2025.
● 73% anticipate a positive impact from the One Big Beautiful Bill tax provisions this year.
● 61% report positive cash-flow effects from the tax provisions
● TRUMP Accounts: 16% of small businesses – more than 1 million firms - indicate they will
make contributions. 36% - more than 2,260,000 - are researching contributions for their
employees’ children.
● Inflation remains a key concern, though 51% say it has eased over the past 6 months.

For more on top issues of concern, the positive impact of AI, and the outlook for 2026 see the media release with highlights here. Access the full survey report here.

2025 Year in Review

ICYMI: 2025 Year in Review

Policy Victories,
Progress,
and the Work Ahead

View the report here.

● 84% of small business owners express confidence about their 2025 year-end performance.
● 88% of small business owners report using AI tools.
● 91% report their business markets and sells across multiple channels.
● Most widely used platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Amazon.
● Inflation is top concern.
● 51% say that limited access to capital is restricting expansion opportunities.

Read more economic, technology use, and business sentiment highlights here.

TikTok Boost to Small Business

Read the full report here.

Read the full report here.

Read the press release here.

The TikTok Boost to Small Business

Key Highlights:
● 33% of U.S. small businesses use TikTok, up from 17% in 2023 – 7 million U.S. businesses use TikTok
● 90% of small business TikTok users are confident 2025 will be a positive year for their financial performance
● 89% of small business TikTok users say the platform is important to their business’ viability
● 88% report increased sales after promoting via TikTok - 74% say they sold out of a product tied to TikTok activity
● 65% of small business TikTok users say their activity generated interest from investors

Read the press release here.

Two people looking at a digital screen with smart glasses

The Emerging Tech Alliance is a collaborative partnership of organizations sharing knowledge and intelligence about the use, potential and convergence of new technology, including AI, immersive tools, automation, and digital connectivity that are transforming how we live, learn and work.

2018 policy agenda

SBE Council
Policy Agenda 2025-2026

Read the agenda here.

AI Powers Small Biz

AI Powers Small Business:
$273.5 Billion Saved Annually

●75% of small businesses are utilizing AI tools for an expansive range of functions
●Nearly half (48%) of small businesses started using AI tools in the past year
●93% of business owners report that AI tools offer cost-effective solutions that drive savings and improve profitability
●83% of small business owners plan to invest more in AI over the next 12 months
●85% of small businesses agree that the government must balance AI regulation and innovation

Read more about the AI tools small business owners are using and the BIG benefits here.

USTR Comments on the 301 Investigation Into Germany’s Persistent Underpayment for Innovative Drugs

The Value of Electronic

Payments for

Small Business Owners

Growth Without Barriers

Become Supporter

BECOME A SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORTER

Join with other entrepreneurs and make a difference

Find out more

JOIN SBECOUNCIL

Connect with entrepreneurs and power
an ecosystem for success.

TAKE ACTION

Become an advocate for
small business.

STAY CONNECTED

Small Business Insider

AI Beyond the Basics: Practical Ways to Use AI

August 06, 2026

By Barbara Weltman – By now, you know the usual roles that AI can play in your business: customer relations, financial management, marketing, and strategic thinking. But there are many other ways that AI can be used to help you make better decisions and run your business more effectively. Here are some ideas. Risk Management […]

Continue Reading >

Buyer Demand for Businesses Remains Strong Despite Decline in Actual Sales

August 06, 2026

Continue Reading >

Self-Care and the Small Business Owner: Simple Strategies for Summer

July 24, 2026

Continue Reading >

More from the Small Business Insider >

News and Media Releases

July 30, 2026

Small Business Insider Weekly Update

July 27, 2026

KERRIGAN IN REAL CLEAR HEALTH: America’s Small Businesses Can’t Afford 340B Abuse

July 21, 2026

Rest in Peace, Raymond J. Keating

July 21, 2026

KERRIGAN IN BIZ TECH: Here’s How Small Businesses Can Get More Value from Their Data

July 16, 2026

Statement of Support: Senate Introduction of the “New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act” (NO BOSS Act)

See All News and Media Releases >

Stay Connected

800 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
(703) 242-5840
Click here to email us

Copyright © 2023 Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of SBE Council is expressly prohibited.
Read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use statements.