Despite global economic uncertainty, entrepreneurship is on the rise. Small businesses are approaching 2026 with confidence – with 69 percent year-over-year increase in LinkedIn members adding ‘founder’ to their profile. More than half of small business leaders are optimistic about the year ahead. The research points to three key growth engines: Tech and AI for small businesses driving speed and scale, brand credibility to create trust and visibility and networks that turn attention into opportunity.
Technology and AI is leveling the playing field
More than half (54 percent) of US small business leaders say AI is essential to their growth. 76 percent of marketers in the US agree that AI for small businesses helps them compete with larger ones. Nearly half (47 percent) of those surveyed said AI has made them more likely to start their own business.
The potential impact of AI for small businesses is significant. Generative AI could unlock up to $1.6 trillion in productive capacity for US small and medium-sized businesses, representing 40 percent of the total opportunity of AI. Small business leaders in the US say they are looking to tools to drive their growth, and help them with improving their marketing (63 percent) and lead generation (62 percent).
Brand building tops small business priorities
Brand building was named the top 2026 priority for U.S.-based small business leaders, with 76 percent noting it is key to achieving their growth ambitions. A similar number (74 percent) say that showing up authentically online is just as important as showing up in person. This helps explain why the majority of brand owners in the US say they are becoming content creators as well (65 percent) as they look to grow their audience.
Networking unlocks opportunities
The value of human connections and networks is clear in the report findings. 8 in 10 (78 percent) small business leaders in the US say professional networks are critical for growth, while two-thirds (63 percent) rely on trusted input from their community for quick decision-making. Around three-quarters (73 percent) say human connection has become more critical – not less – in the age of AI. Skills that companies value reflect this – more than 69 percent of U.S. companies agree that people skills are even more important in the age of AI.
Ora Levit, VP of Product Management at LinkedIn, said: “Our research shows that small business leaders are thriving despite economic challenges by blending new technology that allows them to accomplish more than ever before, with a strong network that helps unlock opportunities. At LinkedIn, we’re equipping small businesses with tools that help them find prospects, build their brand and network, and grow their teams while saving time, so they can focus on building successful, thriving businesses, doing the work they love.”
LinkedIn resources on AI for small businesses
To help small business leaders harness AI, build their brand and network smarter, LinkedIn is offering free courses for one month through LinkedIn Learning:
- Leveraging AI for small and medium business growth
- Building a brand that your customers will love
- Small business marketing
LinkedIn also offers various tools to help small businesses harness tech, build brand credibility and grow their networks as part of its Premium subscription. Learn more at https://premium.linkedin.com/small-business.
To learn how to utilize AI for your own business, check out our article LLM Seeding and AI Optimization: Boost Your Content’s Reach.
Add Comment