SBE Council in Inc.: New AI-Powered Platform Aims to Give Small Businesses Big-Company Capabilities

By SBE Council at 11 November, 2026, 10:40 pm

"Small businesses can now access sophisticated marketing, customer intelligence, pricing, financial and operational capabilities that large companies could only access or afford." - Karen Kerrigan, quoted in Inc., November 11, 2026

In a November 11 Inc. article, "Bilt Wants to Give Small Businesses Big Chains' Secret Weapon. It Isn't Discounts," reporter Lucia Auerbach examines Bilt's new Neighborhood OS platform, which aims to help local businesses attract customers, build loyalty, and compete more effectively using AI-powered tools and customer insights.

SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan highlights how digital platforms are democratizing capabilities once reserved for large companies, including sophisticated marketing, customer intelligence, and operational tools. She points to SBE Council's 2026 Small Business Technology Use Survey, which found that 74% of small business owners say digital platforms make it easier to compete with larger companies.

Kerrigan also emphasizes the importance of helping neighborhood businesses reach nearby customers while ensuring that digital tools deliver measurable returns through increased sales, customer retention, and efficiency. The article explores both the opportunities presented by AI-powered loyalty platforms and the importance of maintaining strong customer relationships.

Read the full article in Inc.