Latest news with #businessautomation
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UgenticAI Raises $4M to Scale Portfolio of Agentic AI Companies Aimed at Transforming Small Business Operations
ROCKVILLE, MD, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UgenticAI, an AI holding company, has closed $4 million in funding to expand its growing portfolio of agentic AI companies, businesses that use AI to autonomously execute complex business functions such as sales, content creation, and customer support. With four acquisitions already completed and multiple additional deals in progress, UgenticAI is focused on building an AI ecosystem designed for real business impact, not just automation for its own company's mission is distinct: identify or develop agentic AI companies, not just tools, and bring them under one umbrella to scale. Agentic AI refers to systems that can act independently, make decisions, and complete workflows with minimal human oversight. This differs from traditional AI applications, which often require user prompting and manual oversight to function effectively. Filling a Critical Gap in AI Adoption While artificial intelligence continues to dominate headlines, a significant portion of the market remains underserved. According to UgenticAI's analysis of data from Gartner and McKinsey, there are over 450 million small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) worldwide, and 76% of them still haven't meaningfully adopted AI tools. That's even though global SMB software spend has surpassed $1.6 trillion and continues to grow. 'Most AI startups are not solving full business problems; they're building features. We believe the real opportunity lies in building or acquiring agentic AI companies that serve entire business functions,' said Anik Singal, CEO of UgenticAI. The reality is stark: nearly 90% of AI startups fail, often because they lack distribution, a viable business model, or don't go beyond single-use capabilities. UgenticAI's strategy is to change that narrative by acquiring companies with established traction or building new ones from scratch, always with a focus on delivering tangible results to businesses. A Holding Company Model for the Agentic AI Era UgenticAI operates as a holding company, meaning it doesn't just invest in AI; it owns and operates a portfolio of AI-driven businesses. This structure enables centralized resources, shared infrastructure, and unified strategic direction, while allowing each subsidiary to grow independently. The company currently has four companies under its umbrella, with two more software launches in development. Each entity focuses on a specific function, such as automating outreach for sales teams or deploying autonomous chat solutions for customer support. These are not experimental concepts but operational businesses with growing customer bases and measurable impact. By integrating these companies, UgenticAI aims to offer SMBs a full-stack suite of agentic AI services that can operate cohesively saving time, reducing labor costs, and enabling scalability. Investment Through Diversification Rather than backing a single AI idea, UgenticAI offers accredited investors access to a broader portfolio, effectively spreading risk across multiple ventures. This approach mirrors traditional investment models in real estate or venture capital, but with a focused theme: operational AI companies. The $4 million raised to date has enabled acquisitions, team expansion, and infrastructure development. The company reports that three additional deals are in negotiation, signaling further portfolio expansion in 2025. An IPO target of $350 million within 2.5 years is in motion, with a longer-term vision of building a $3 billion-plus AI conglomerate. Educating the Market on Agentic AI A key part of UgenticAI's mission is to shift how businesses, particularly SMBs, understand and adopt AI. While many AI tools on the market serve as assistants or single-task enhancers, agentic AI solutions go further. They are built to replace full-time roles with autonomous software agents that learn, adapt, and act without constant oversight. This form of AI, while still emerging, is quickly gaining traction as businesses face rising labor costs, scaling challenges, and increasing pressure to do more with less. 'Agentic AI isn't about eliminating jobs for the sake of it,' Singal emphasized. 'It's about enabling businesses to do things they simply couldn't afford or scale before.' By focusing on usability, accessibility, and direct business value, UgenticAI's portfolio companies are designed specifically for the needs of SMBs, a demographic often left behind in major tech shifts. Further details about UgenticAI and its development roadmap are available at About UgenticAI UgenticAI is a Maryland-based holding company focused on acquiring and launching agentic AI companies. Its portfolio-driven approach enables small and medium-sized businesses to access scalable AI solutions that replace core business functions, not just assist with tasks. Backed by $4M in funding, the company is actively building toward a $350M IPO, offering accredited investors diversified exposure to operational AI Contact Company Name: UgenticAI Contact Person: Anik Singal Email: anik@ Phone: 240-200-4222 Country: United States Website: CONTACT: Media Contact Company Name: UgenticAI Contact Person: Anik Singal Email: anik@ Phone: 240-200-4222 Country: United States Website: while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Entrepreneur
19-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
5 AI Tools Doing Overtime So You Can Run a Profitable Solo Business (Without Losing Your Mind)
Most entrepreneurs are using AI to save time — but that's not where the real leverage is. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Most solo entrepreneurs are stuck doing everything themselves — chasing leads, managing content and drowning in admin. But the ones scaling to six and seven figures? They're using AI to build a business that works without them. In this video, you'll discover five AI tools that helped me turn my one-person operation into a self-sustaining business engine: The Automation Engine: Connect your systems and cut your task list in half — without writing a single line of code. Connect your systems and cut your task list in half — without writing a single line of code. The Research Companion: Replace browser tab chaos with an AI assistant that remembers, summarizes and handles your day-to-day decisions. Replace browser tab chaos with an AI assistant that remembers, summarizes and handles your day-to-day decisions. The Strategic Advisor: Get instant clarity on what's working, what's not and where to focus — with your own AI-powered business consultant. Get instant clarity on what's working, what's not and where to focus — with your own AI-powered business consultant. The Memory Machine: Capture every meeting, extract insights and auto-follow-up — so you never drop the ball again. Capture every meeting, extract insights and auto-follow-up — so you never drop the ball again. The Product Builder: Turn your ideas into real software or digital tools — without hiring a developer or writing a spec. These aren't shortcuts — they're leverage. And when used together, they'll help you reclaim your time, scale faster and stay focused on what actually grows your business. If you're ready to stop reacting and start scaling, this is the video to watch. The AI Success Kit is available to download for free, along with a chapter from my new book, The Wolf is at The Door.
Entrepreneur
12-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Manage Clients, Projects, and Sales Without Leaving Your Dashboard
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Businesses and agencies juggle a lot — client websites, marketing campaigns, invoices, appointments, and the occasional fire drill. Sellful's ERP Agency Plan aims to simplify all of that by putting every essential tool into one place. It's a fully white-label enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform that covers everything from building websites to managing client communication, automating workflows, tracking sales, and beyond. Through July 20, you can score a lifetime subscription to Sellful on sale for $349.97. Instead of stitching together separate platforms, you can use Sellful to keep all your useful tools right in front of you in one convenient place. Some key highlights include: AI-generated site creation, automated email and SMS marketing, social media scheduling, CRM tools, invoicing, and appointment booking 10 white-labeled sub-accounts with unlimited contacts, pages, blog posts, users, and products per site Built-in point of sale support, inventory syncing across physical stores, and compatibility with more than 20 payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square (with no extra fees from Sellful!) HR tools, payroll, time clocks, accounting, and team chat AI chatbot, affiliate management, community building tools, and access to marketing courses and guides Custom mobile app, setup wizard builder, and more than 5,000 third-party integrations For agencies that want to deliver more to clients without bouncing between platforms, this lifetime Sellful plan offers a seriously flexible way to do it all from one dashboard — on sale for $349.97 (reg. $1,497) until July 20 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Sellful – White Label Website Builder & Software: ERP Agency Plan (Lifetime) See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
Geeky Gadgets
03-07-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
These 4 Systems Are the Secret to A Business That Runs Without You
What if your business could thrive without you? Imagine stepping away—whether for a vacation, a personal project, or simply to reclaim your time—and returning to find everything running smoothly, as if you never left. It sounds like a dream, but for many entrepreneurs, the reality is far from this ideal. Instead, they're caught in a cycle of micromanagement, burnout, and dependency on their constant oversight. The truth is, a business that can't function without you isn't just exhausting—it's fragile. The secret to breaking free lies in implementing four fantastic systems that create clarity, consistency, and autonomy within your organization. In this guide by Layla, you'll uncover how these systems—Execution, Documentation, Ideas, and Team Engagement—can transform the way your business operates. From turning ambitious plans into actionable steps to preserving institutional knowledge and fostering a culture of ownership, these strategies are designed to help you build a self-sustaining business. But this isn't just about efficiency; it's about creating a business that enables your team, reduces stress, and allows you to focus on what truly matters. As you explore these systems, you'll discover not just how to step back, but how to step forward into a more sustainable, scalable future. What would your business—and your life—look like if you weren't its bottleneck? 4 Systems for Business Automation Self Sustaining Business Systems A robust execution system is the cornerstone of any successful business. It ensures that tasks are completed efficiently, on time, and with precision. To establish this system, start by adopting a centralized task management tool. This tool serves as a single source of truth, allowing your team to access, track, and prioritize assignments in one place. By reducing confusion and improving alignment, your team can focus on delivering results. Breaking down large projects into smaller, actionable steps is equally critical. For instance, instead of assigning a broad task like 'launch a new product,' divide it into specific, manageable actions such as 'conduct market research,' 'finalize product design,' and 'develop a marketing strategy.' This approach not only simplifies complex tasks but also ensures accountability at every stage. By fostering clarity and structure, an execution system transforms plans into tangible outcomes. Documentation System: Capturing and Sharing Knowledge A well-organized documentation system is a powerful tool for preserving knowledge and maintaining consistency. It captures your business's best practices, workflows, and critical information in a format that is easy to access and use. Instead of relying on lengthy, cumbersome manuals, focus on creating concise templates, checklists, or step-by-step guides. For example, an onboarding checklist for new hires or a customer service response template can significantly streamline operations and reduce errors. This system also acts as a safeguard against knowledge loss. When employees leave or transition to new roles, documented workflows ensure continuity and minimize disruptions. By maintaining a centralized knowledge repository, you create a resource that supports efficiency and reduces the need for constant oversight. A strong documentation system not only saves time but also enables your team to work independently and confidently. Build a Business That Runs Without You Watch this video on YouTube. Find more information on business process automation by browsing our extensive range of articles, guides and tutorials. Idea System: Focusing on What Matters Most Every business generates a constant flow of ideas, but not all of them are worth pursuing. An idea prioritization system helps you focus on initiatives that truly matter by evaluating them based on their impact and urgency. Regularly reviewing and refining your task list ensures that your efforts align with your business goals, allowing high-value activities to take precedence. This system also helps prevent burnout by balancing workloads. For example, when a new project arises, assess whether it aligns with current priorities or if it should be deferred. By matching tasks to your team's capacity, you maintain a sustainable pace and avoid overloading individuals. An effective idea system ensures that your business remains focused, agile, and aligned with its long-term objectives. Team System: Driving Engagement and Collaboration Even the most well-designed systems will fail without an engaged and collaborative team. A team engagement system ensures that everyone is aligned, motivated, and committed to the processes you've implemented. Start by integrating these systems into your team's daily workflows and providing regular training to reinforce their importance. When employees understand the value of these systems, they are more likely to embrace and use them effectively. Recognizing achievements and tracking performance are also essential components of this system. Use metrics to measure progress and celebrate milestones, as this keeps morale high and encourages continuous improvement. Additionally, collaboration tools such as shared task boards or communication platforms enhance teamwork by keeping everyone connected and informed. A strong team engagement system fosters accountability, trust, and a sense of shared purpose, driving your business toward sustained success. Building a Self-Sustaining Business By implementing these four systems—Execution, Documentation, Ideas, and Team Engagement—you can create a business that operates efficiently and independently. These systems reduce stress, foster clarity, and empower your team to thrive in a calm, focused environment. The key is to integrate them seamlessly into your daily operations, turning them into habits that stick. With these systems in place, you'll not only free up your time but also build a business that is resilient, scalable, and prepared for long-term success. Adopt a centralized task management tool to streamline execution and improve alignment. Create concise templates and checklists to document workflows and preserve knowledge. Develop an idea prioritization system to focus on high-impact initiatives and prevent burnout. Foster team engagement through regular training, performance tracking, and collaboration tools. By focusing on these critical areas, you can transform your business into a self-sustaining operation that doesn't rely on your constant presence. These systems not only enhance efficiency but also empower your team to take ownership, making sure your business thrives in any circumstance. Media Credit: Layla at ProcessDriven Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
South China Morning Post
03-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Alibaba leads US$14 million funding round in Chinese corporate AI agent start-up
A Hangzhou-based artificial intelligence (AI) start-up specialising in enterprise AI agents has secured over 100 million yuan (US$14 million) from investors led by Alibaba Group Holding 's cloud unit, as Chinese companies strive to leverage the technology to raise business efficiency. BetterYeah AI, a prominent player in China's enterprise AI sector founded by former Alibaba executives, said on Wednesday it had completed its latest financing round with contributions from Alibaba Cloud and venture firms Maintrend Capital and Foresight Capital. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. It marked the 'largest single investment deal' in the AI agent market, the start-up said. AI agents are programs that are capable of autonomously performing tasks on behalf of a user or another system. Essentially, these agents create a plan of specific tasks and subtasks to complete a goal using available resources. SHENZHEN, CHINA - AUGUST 08, 2019: Alibaba Group sign statue says I love Taobao. Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese e-commerce company founded in 1999 by Jack Ma. It serves worldwide. Photo: Shutterstock Images These AI applications are increasingly seen as the future of business automation. While many start-ups focus on consumer AI agents, BetterYeah AI develops enterprise AI agents that help streamline office operations and management, such as in online client services.
