Introduction

The financial needs of small businesses have evolved dramatically over the past decade, and so has the technology supporting them. But we’re only at the beginning of what’s possible.

What started as embedded finance — integrating funding into the platforms small businesses already use — is now evolving into something far more powerful: autonomous, intelligent financial systems that work in the background to help small businesses succeed.

It’s a future where small business owners don’t just get access to capital, they get an always-on, intelligent agent actively managing their financial operations.

This post wraps up our current “Shaping the Future of Small Business Finance” series. From co-pilot models to fully autonomous financial agents, we’re entering a new era of AI-driven finance that will empower small businesses to thrive seamlessly, intelligently, and at scale.

From Co-Pilot to Autonomous Agent

The current vision of embedded finance was to act as a financial co-pilot, guiding small business owners with access to capital, insights, and tools to help them grow.

But the next step is even more ambitious: creating a fully autonomous financial agent that:

  • Monitors a business’s financial health
  • Identifies risks and opportunities in real-time
  • Recommends actions — or even executes them
  • Frees business owners from admin and decision fatigue

The Power of Real-Time Data

What makes this future possible is data.

By partnering with platforms like eBay, Worldpay, and Vagaro, fintech providers like Liberis have access to live, contextual data about how small businesses are performing:

  • Transaction volumes
  • Cash flow patterns
  • Inventory levels
  • Sales trends
  • Customer behaviour

This data already powers pre-approved funding offers in real-time. But the next frontier is turning that data into proactive decision-making, without the business owner needing to ask.

How AI is Accelerating the Shift

Artificial intelligence is the key to unlocking this vision.

At Liberis, AI is already being used to:

  • Monitor and analyse 100% of customer service calls
  • Identify best practices and compliance risks
  • Accelerate product design and research

But the real opportunity lies in how AI can support small businesses directly.

Imagine logging into your platform and seeing:

  • A personalised insight to run a promotion when sales are slow
  • A prompt to restock inventory based on sales patterns
  • A cash flow forecast and suggested funding option — already pre-approved
  • Automated reminders to pay employees or suppliers

And all of this is happening autonomously, without the business owner having to spend hours on financial admin.

A Better Future for Small Businesses

The future of small business finance is clear:

  • Less admin
  • Fewer barriers
  • Smarter, faster decisions
  • Capital and insights delivered exactly when needed

Small business owners won’t need to chase lenders, navigate complex applications, or spend time analysing spreadsheets. Instead, they’ll have a financial agent working for them around the clock, optimising their business behind the scenes.

And thanks to the combination of embedded finance, real-time data, and AI, that future is already taking shape.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a technology shift; it’s a transformation in how small businesses can operate, grow, and thrive.

The more we can remove friction, reduce complexity, and empower business owners to focus on what they do best, the better it is for everyone, from platforms and fintech providers to local economies and communities.

The future of small business finance isn’t coming in ten years. It’s happening now.

Want more? We’ll be sharing deep dives into AI, embedded insights, and real-world platform innovation throughout the year — stay tuned.