AI & Enterprise

B2B software industry steps up AI discounts in bid to ease cost burden

As more corporate software budgets flow to AI firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic, established software vendors are stepping up discounts and free offers for AI products. Some enterprise and cloud companies are offering free trials or reduced prices to retain customers. Procurement software firm Zip said AI providers’ share of enterprise software budgets rose to 8 percent over the past year. Vendors and customers are also grappling with usage-based pricing that can sharply raise costs.

Finance

Online investment-linked finance gains momentum for mid-rate loans, expands base to sole proprietors

Online investment-linked finance platforms have expanded credit loans for mid- to low-credit borrowers through linked investments with savings banks and have now laid the groundwork to lend to sole proprietors after further regulatory changes. The measures raise caps on linked investments by financial firms and allow use of a small merchant credit scoring infrastructure. The Financial Services Commission also plans stronger disclosures and external verification to bolster investor protection.