Today's B2B Growth Pulse
RSA America teams with AWG to bring digital commerce to 1,100 independent grocers
RSA America announced a strategic partnership with food wholesaler Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) to deploy its integrated digital commerce and retail media platform across AWG’s network of more than 1,100 independent grocery members and 3,500 stores. The solution equips retailers with enterprise‑grade tools for loyalty programs, e‑commerce, mobile apps and AI‑driven shopper insights, aiming to boost digital sales for independent stores.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Oxford Quantum Circuits raises $330M Series C
502: Unlocking B2B Intelligence with AI Workflows
In episode 502, host Drew Neisser talks with Dave Brong of Level Agency about how CMO Huddles turned a cumbersome 10‑step post‑meeting workflow into an automated intelligence engine that extracts, structures, and makes searchable the insights from hundreds of conversations. They explain that only about 10 % of the solution relies on AI, with the bulk of the work done by code, and discuss when to use low‑code tools versus engineering resources for reliability, privacy, and scale. The conversation also offers a practical workflow audit method, guidance on build‑vs‑buy decisions, and strategies to amplify human judgment rather than replace it.
Optus to Bring All 80 Licenced Retail Stores Back Under Its Control
Optus announced it will assume ownership of all 80 licensed retail stores, ending the third‑party model that currently covers one‑third of its 240‑store footprint. The decision follows a $100 million Federal Court fine for unconscionable sales conduct and a high‑profile network...
Successful Firms Balance Brand and Demand Spending Equally
"Companies that were successful were spending equally amounts on brand versus demand". Omar Akhtar on The Transaction . PS get ready bc another guest who captures GTM data found roughly the same thing.
Build Business for Money, Purpose, and Joy Simultaneously
You don't have to choose. Make money OR help people. Grow the business OR enjoy your life. Build something meaningful OR have fun. That's the trade-off everyone accepts. And I think it's ridiculous I've watched people build businesses that crush...
Epic and Google Have a Secret $800 Million Unreal Engine and Services Deal
A federal judge disclosed an undisclosed six‑year, $800 million partnership between Epic Games and Google focused on Unreal Engine services and joint marketing. The agreement, kept largely confidential, involves Epic paying Google for cloud and AI services rather than co‑creating a...
GitLab Spurs 12.8% Rally, SaaS Index Up 3.
📊 https://t.co/D1x4RaX5t7 Market Pulse - Thu, Jan 22 The https://t.co/D1x4RaX5t7 Index delivered a strong performance on January 22, 2026, with an average gain of 3.47% as 23 out of 25 stocks advanced. GitLab led the rally with a remarkable 12.82% surge,...
Cracking B2B AI Pricing: Experts Share Proven Models
How do you price AI features in B2B? Per seat? Per outcome? Usage-based? Founders are still figuring this out in real-time. At SaaStr AI 2026, we're bringing together the ones who've cracked it. May 12-14. SF Bay https://t.co/4l6Rm5He3B
OpenAI Is Coming for Those Sweet Enterprise Dollars in 2026
OpenAI has appointed Barret Zoph, a former VP of post‑training inference, to lead its enterprise division as the company seeks to recapture lost market share. Zoph returned after a stint at Mira Murati’s Thinking Machine Labs, positioning him at the forefront of...
Growth Trumps Efficiency in AI Era IPOs
A tough truth: getting more efficient, getting profitable, might have been necessary the past few years for many. But it also got you … nowhere. The markets still reward growth far more than efficiency. You do need both now when...
Hallway Chats, Not Panels: Spryng Matches Marketers
I've attended 89 marketing conferences over the years. Almost all of them had the same problem. The best conversations happened in the hallway. At the bar. Never during the actual sessions. So I built Spryng differently. We hand-match attendees before the event. Similar...
Global Baby Furniture Suppliers List: Standards, Materials & Certifications
The episode outlines how importers and brands can secure a market edge by partnering with top baby‑furniture manufacturers such as DaVinci, Babyletto, Bugaboo, Clafbebe, Peg Perego and UPPAbaby, emphasizing their blend of high‑design aesthetics, scalable production, and strict safety compliance. It...
Scaling International GTM for B2B SaaS eCommerce Products
The episode outlines how B2B SaaS eCommerce firms can scale internationally by first establishing a stable global positioning spine and then tailoring emphasis to regional buyer priorities. It stresses redefining the ideal customer profile with regional filters and using inbound...
Leadership Risk: Balancing Fast Innovation with Slow Adoption
Why does innovation move fast while adoption crawls? Because transformation forces leaders to redirect capital, talent, and attention away from what still works toward what is not yet proven. That tension defines the messy middle. This conversation with Tina Vatanka...
Dr. Phone Fix Expands to 44 Stores After Rapid Late-2025 Growth, Reports Higher Same-Store Revenue
Dr. Phone Fix Canada Corp. expanded its retail footprint from 35 to 44 stores by the end of 2025, a 26% increase driven by acquisitions and organic openings. The company reported same‑store revenue growth, with average annualized sales climbing to...
Honest Board Management Beats Optimistic Theater
Here are a few take-aways from the early days of scaling at Okta with their co-founder, Frederic Kerrest . 1. Managing the board: Demonstrated control over the business versus optimistic theater Early in my career, I thought my job with...
Product Tours Create Habit‑forming Moments in Apps
Another interesting question that happened recently on SuperMe , asking about how product tours can help build habit forming moments in a product. Great takes from Ben Williams Erika Warren Daniel Chu Brian Balfour Elena Verna Hila Qu 曲卉 Lauryn...
Pave Finance Integrates with Fidelity to Automate RIA Workflows
Pave Finance announced a direct integration with Fidelity, enabling registered investment advisors to link client accounts to Pave’s platform without moving assets. The connection automates portfolio construction, ongoing management and trade execution, leveraging Pave’s ten‑year‑tested Asset Intelligence Layer. Advisors can...
AI-Native B2B Apps Are Redefining the Software Landscape
Will B2B software survive the AI era? The last platform shift, on-prem to cloud, created a wave of new category winners. Salesforce, Workday, NetSuite, HubSpot, and GitHub were all native-cloud companies. But the signals are different this time. Foundational models...
Scale Expertise with Tools, Not Years of Training
Stop trying to train your team into experts. Build tools that make them experts faster. One of the ListKit cofounders, Christian , is an absolute cold email genius. Took him 4+ years to get there. That expertise is incredibly valuable....
TikTok Offers European Fulfillment for Asian Sellers
TikTok is extending its Fulfilled by TikTok service to Europe, offering Asian merchants warehousing, order fulfillment and returns through facilities in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The move positions TikTok not only as a marketplace but also as a logistics...
Mandating AI Skill Up: Training, Hackathons, Hiring
Right when we got back into the office this year we mandated that everyone becomes Claude Code proficient in the next few months. We have mandatory weekly office hours, half-day (moving to two full day) hackathons, and consistent showing and telling. It...
SMBs Trade Higher Volume for Lower NRR than Enterprises
In theory, SMB > Enterprise More customers, much faster sales cycles, faster PLG and viral cycles But even 100% NRR is tough to hit with SMBs, While 120%-140% common in Enterprise Most SMB SaaS goes at least bit enterprise or at least into more...
CrafterCMS Announces New Cursor AI Skill That Accelerates Digital Experience Development
CrafterCMS unveiled a new Cursor AI skill that instantly converts static HTML design templates into fully managed headless CMS projects. The open‑source tool, available via the CrafterCMS Marketplace and GitHub, automates markup restructuring, content model creation, and Git‑based workflow setup....
Fivetran Selected by Vistaprint to Power Data Activation and Personalized Customer Experiences
Vistaprint has chosen Fivetran to automate data movement from its core systems into Snowflake and to push governed first‑party data back into marketing and customer‑engagement tools via reverse ETL. The partnership supports Vistaprint’s cloud‑first, data‑mesh architecture, enabling real‑time personalization, more...
New Independent Study: 80% of Enterprises Plan to Increase DAM Investment as AI and Content Orchestration Reshape Digital Operations
A Forrester Consulting study commissioned by Orange Logic finds that 80% of enterprises will increase Digital Asset Management (DAM) investment over the next two years. The research frames DAM as a strategic orchestration layer rather than a passive repository, linking...
Why Shift4 Targets Big Merchants
Shift4 Payments is deliberately courting large, multi‑location merchants and venues because they face fewer payment‑processor alternatives. CEO Taylor Lauber highlighted the appeal of complex software environments, citing the New York Yankees, Hilton Worldwide, and Caesar’s Entertainment as prime examples. The...
CallFinder Unveils Targeted Microlearning Video Training for Contact Center Teams Through Collaboration with BenchmarkPortal
CallFinder, an automated quality‑assurance and coaching platform for contact centers, announced a collaboration with BenchmarkPortal to deliver BenchmarkPortal’s Learning Channel+ microlearning video library to its clients. Learning Channel+ provides a subscription‑based catalog of more than 50 short, five‑minute videos designed...
Bombora Partners with Proximic By Comscore to Create New B2B Predictive Audiences
Bombora has teamed with Proximic by Comscore to launch 300 new B2B predictive audiences that fuse Bombora’s proprietary intent data with Proximic’s AI‑driven contextual signals. The combined segments map to granular B2B attributes such as industry, job function, professional groups...
Vertafore Expands AI Capabilities in Surefyre to Save Hours During Program Submissions
Vertafore has added AI-driven PDF‑to‑web form automation to its Surefyre platform, enabling program administrators to transform PDF submission forms into digital applications with a single click. The feature reduces the manual effort of creating web forms from up to four...
B2B Success Requires Humanity Over Pure Logic
For years, B2B marketing has leaned heavily on the comfort of logic to win the day. And I get it. When the stakes are high, logic feels safe. The assumption is simple: present enough facts, stats, and proof points, and...
CFIB Business Barometer: Small Business Confidence Remains Steady in January
The CFIB Business Barometer shows small‑business confidence at 59.5 in January, just below its historical average. Owners remain cautiously optimistic, citing growth and sales as top expectations. However, high tax, insurance, wage and equipment costs strain firms, with 70% flagging...
Salt Security Expands “Universal Visibility” With Specialized API Security for Databricks and Rapid Edge Support for Netlify
Salt Security announced two strategic integrations that broaden its Universal Visibility platform: the Salt Databricks Connector and the Salt Netlify Collector. The Databricks connector provides dedicated API‑security discovery for the Agentic AI Action Layer, mapping AI agents’ API calls and...
Comprehensive AI Marketing Tools Directory with Ratings
The best directory of AI marketing tools anywhere continues to expand. Tools recently added include GWI Spark, Kyutai SST, FLORA , Rime , SocialBee , SketchPro.ai , SharedChat, StepFun , Signal AI , Fish Audio , Photoroom , Repurpose.io ,...
Neusoft and Cerence AI Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement to Deliver an AI-Powered Automotive Cockpit Platform
Neusoft and Cerence AI have signed an MOU to co‑develop a large‑language‑model‑driven voice platform for automotive cockpits. The collaboration will embed Cerence AI’s conversational and generative AI capabilities into Neusoft’s NAGIC intelligent cockpit software. Together they will deliver pre‑integrated, scenario‑focused...
Protiviti Awarded Microsoft Frontier Partner Badge, Recognizing Leadership in AI-First Solutions
Protiviti has been awarded the Microsoft Frontier Partner badge, highlighting its leadership in AI‑first solutions across Microsoft’s cloud portfolio. The recognition underscores the firm’s ability to blend AI agents with human expertise to deliver measurable ROI and secure, compliant outcomes....
Adswerve Helps Betterment Unlock New Customer Growth, Reduce Acquisition Costs
Adswerve, a data‑driven media consultancy, built a custom bidding script for Betterment’s Google Display and Video 360 campaigns, leveraging historic performance and customer‑value metrics. The tailored three‑tier scoring system boosted high‑value conversions by 66% while expanding reach by 40% and...
GBK Collective Appoints Veteran Marketing Insights Leader Ben Rogers as President, Client Services
GBK Collective announced Ben Rogers as President of Client Services, bringing over 25 years of insights, brand and marketing strategy experience. Rogers previously led NRG’s technology‑focused marketing insights division and held senior roles at Ipsos, Kantar/TNS, GfK and NOP World....
Why We Invested in Endra
Notion Capital led a $20 million seed round in Endra, a Stockholm‑based startup building a generative‑design platform for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineers. The solution promises to automate up to 80 % of the traditionally manual MEP design workflow, shrinking project...
Recommended or Rejected: Does AI Trust You
In this episode, host discusses the looming shift to AI-driven search and how businesses can ensure they remain visible when AI becomes the primary recommendation engine. Guest Marcus Sheridan, a renowned marketing strategist and author of "They Ask, You Answer,"...
3PR Revolutionizes Digital PR for Ecommerce Stores With New AI-Led Visibility Deliverables
Digital PR agency 3PR has launched an upgraded service aimed at ecommerce brands, integrating AI-driven visibility tactics into its productized campaigns. The new offering adds features to enhance search engine rankings, secure high-authority media placements, and improve conversion rates on...
Vahdam Teas Partners with 3PL for UK Multi-Channel Fulfilment
Vahdam Teas has teamed with UK third‑party logistics provider 3PL to run its B2B multi‑channel fulfilment operation across the United Kingdom. The partnership enables the tea brand to meet strict retailer requirements for Amazon, Costco, Holland & Barrett and others...
Wickes Boosted by Strong Performance in TradePro
Wickes posted a 6.3% rise in half‑year revenue, powered by a 6.2% increase in retail sales and an 8% year‑on‑year jump in its TradePro channel. DIY sales delivered mid‑single‑digit growth as customer transactions climbed, while the Design & Installation division...
B&Q to Launch New Trade-Exclusive Store Concept for TradePoint
B&Q will launch its first standalone TradePoint store in Barking next month, targeting trade professionals with a dedicated retail experience. The new concept complements B&Q’s ambition to grow TradePoint into a £1 billion business, after the segment posted a 6.9% sales...
Syntax Launches Construction Toolkit for SAP Solutions to Accelerate Cloud Transformation for Engineering, Construction, and Operations Firms
Syntax has launched the Construction Toolkit for SAP Solutions, a suite of four purpose‑built applications that embed construction‑specific workflows directly into SAP Cloud ERP. The toolkit includes change order management, forecasting, mobile field data capture, and progress billing, aiming to...
Kyndryl Unveils New Approach to Driving SAP Modernization Powered by Agentic AI
Kyndryl announced a new Clean Field SAP modernization approach powered by agentic AI, developed with Nova Intelligence. The method automates code customization and remediation during ECC‑to‑S/4HANA migrations, delivering a clean core and faster, lower‑cost transformations. It integrates SAP Business Data...
Netrush Selects IQRush as Strategic Partner to Power AI-Driven Discovery Across the Customer Journey
AI-driven answer engines are reshaping the early stages of the customer journey, prompting brands to seek visibility into how these systems represent them. Netrush, an ecommerce growth agency, announced a strategic partnership with IQRush, a Generative Search Optimization and Answer...
Free AI & Productivity Tools Curated Weekly Newsletter
I’m relaunching my newsletter. Yes, again. This time with intent. It’s weekly. It’s practical. And it’s not here to make you feel bad about all the tools you’re not using. The first edition is a list I actually want myself....
AI Agents in GTM Tech Poised for 10x Improvement
"Now is a great time to be in GTM tech. "All the AI agents we use are good. But they could all be 10x better." with @kylecnorton CRO @owner "It's just getting good. The AI Agents are still just...
The New Rules of Marketing Measurement in 2026: Why Unified Models Are Replacing Attribution
After years of reliance on attribution dashboards, marketers are abandoning single‑model approaches in favor of unified measurement systems. Incrementality testing has become a baseline, while modernized marketing mix modeling (MMM) leverages AI for near‑real‑time forecasting. Leading firms now blend experiments,...
Qlik Welcomes Mark Relph of AWS to AI Council
Qlik announced that Mark Relph, a Director at Amazon Web Services, has joined its AI Council, bringing deep cloud‑ecosystem and enterprise AI implementation experience. The council, launched in 2024, advises Qlik on practical, responsible AI adoption that emphasizes data governance...