Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-small-business-daily/id1841930957
Small Business Daily Podcast — February 5, 2026
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Anthropic says “Claude will remain ad-free”, its users “won’t see ‘sponsored’ links adjacent to” conversations, and responses won’t be influenced by advertisers
By Not specified — February 4, 2026
Anthropic pledged that Claude will stay ad-free, with no sponsored links and no advertiser influence on responses. The company is underscoring that stance with Super Bowl ads lampooning intrusive chatbot ads. For users and enterprises, it’s a clear privacy and trust play that differentiates Claude in an increasingly ad-curious AI market.
Uber reports Q4 revenue up 20% YoY to $14.37B, Gross Bookings up 22% YoY to $54.1B, trips up 22% YoY to 3.8B, and a $296M net income, below est.; UBER falls 5%+
By Connor Hart — Date not specified
Uber posted strong Q4 growth across revenue, gross bookings, and trips, but a $296 million net income missed expectations and sent shares down more than 5%. The company touted a record 200 million monthly active users and hinted at future bets in autonomy and mobility. For operators, it’s a reminder that scale and engagement are rising, even as profit volatility persists.
Google teases the Pixel 10a in a new video, revealing a completely flat rear camera, and says pre-orders begin on February 18
By Abner Li — Date not specified
Google previewed the Pixel 10a with a refreshed design and flat rear camera, confirming pre-orders start February 18. The mid-range device keeps the familiar Pixel aesthetic with expected dual cameras and incremental performance gains. SMBs eyeing affordable, capable Android hardware should watch pricing and specs as launch nears.
AI voice startup ElevenLabs raised a $500M Series D led by Sequoia at an $11B valuation, taking its total funding to nearly $800M, and reports $330M in 2025 ARR
By Kate Clark — Date not specified
ElevenLabs hit an $11 billion valuation on $500 million in new funding as its voice tech and ElevenAgents platform gain enterprise traction. With reported 2025 ARR of $330 million, the company plans to scale product development and go-to-market globally. Expect faster rollout of voice agents in customer support and commerce workflows.
Amazon rolls out Alexa+ to all Prime members in the US via any Alexa-enabled device, Alexa.com, and the Alexa app, and launches a free tier for non-Prime users
By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy — Date not specified
Amazon’s Alexa+—a more conversational, AI-forward assistant—is now available to all U.S. Prime members, with a free tier for non-Prime users. The move aims to bolster Prime’s value and keep Amazon competitive in home AI. For small businesses, it widens the addressable audience for voice-driven services and skills.
Microsoft says cybersecurity head Charlie Bell will move into a position focused on engineering quality; Hayete Gallot will return from Google to run security
By Jordan Novet — Date not specified
Microsoft reshuffled leadership with Charlie Bell shifting to engineering quality and Hayete Gallot returning to lead security. The move signals a dual emphasis on platform reliability and defense as cloud and AI portfolios scale. Customers can expect continued investment in hardened services and security posture.
Texas Instruments agrees to acquire US chip company Silicon Labs for ~$7.5B, paying $231/share in cash, closing in H1 2027; Silicon Labs has a ~$4.5B market cap
By Nick Turner — Date not specified
TI is buying Silicon Labs for about $7.5 billion to deepen its footprint in wireless connectivity and IoT. The all-cash deal, expected to close in the first half of 2027, broadens TI’s analog and embedded portfolio. For device makers, this could mean tighter integration and more options across connected products.
Martech startup Fibr AI raises $5.7 million seed round led by Accel
By Not specified — February 5, 2026
Fibr AI raised $5.7 million to turn static websites into adaptive, one-to-one experiences via autonomous agents embedded at each URL. Early enterprise users report lower acquisition costs and major engagement lifts. It’s a practical example of agentic AI moving from hype to conversion impact.
Software and data stocks plunge over fears that new AI developments will supplant software; ADBE closed down 7.31%, CRM fell 6.85%, and Thomson Reuters 15.83%
By Not specified — February 3, 2026
Investors sold off major software and data names amid concern that AI agents could replace traditional SaaS workflows. While not all software is equally exposed, valuation pressure and volatility rose across the category. For operators, the message is clear: differentiate with AI-native capabilities or risk compression.
Expert Intelligence raises $5.8M to automate decision-making in laboratory environments
By Kyt Dotson — February 4, 2026
Expert Intelligence secured $5.8 million for its Limited Sample Model, designed to automate expert-level decisions in regulated labs with sparse data. The system learns directly from raw instrument signals and expert policies, targeting accuracy and audit readiness. Expect faster throughput in pharma and food safety workflows without sacrificing compliance.
CloudX Hits GA With Plans To Rewire The Mobile Ad Stack Using AI Agents
By Allison Schiff — February 4, 2026
CloudX, founded by MoPub veterans, launched to general availability with AI agents automating tedious ad ops across line items, floors, and demand paths. Auctions run in a trusted execution environment to reassure buyers, with partners including Meta, Liftoff, and Magnite. Publishers could see fewer manual errors and more incremental demand.
Accel doubles down on Fibr AI as agents turn static websites into one-to-one experiences
By Jagmeet Singh — February 4, 2026
TechCrunch details Accel’s renewed bet on Fibr AI’s agentic layer that personalizes each page in real time, reducing reliance on agencies and lengthy engineering cycles. Early adoption among regulated enterprises and multi-year contracts hint at durable value. It also positions customers for the coming era where AI agents do more of the browsing.
‘We’re building something I want for my family and your family’: Fitbit co-founders are launching a new family-wide health tracking app, but we have our reservations
By Rowan Davies — February 4, 2026
Fitbit’s co-founders unveiled Luffu, a family health app that aggregates data across devices and uses AI to flag changes for kids, elders—even pets. While it promises relief for “family CEOs,” TechRadar cautions about information overload and caregiver stress. The takeaway: powerful if thoughtfully implemented, but guardrails matter.
TRM Labs Hits Unicorn Status in $70 Million Fund Raise With Goldman’s Participation
By Francisco Rodrigues, AI Boost | Edited by Omkar Godbole — February 4, 2026
Blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs raised $70 million at a $1 billion valuation, with backers including Goldman Sachs and Citi Ventures. Its tools help banks and law enforcement trace crypto flows across chains, as AI-enabled scams surge. Partnerships with Tron and Tether have already frozen more than $300 million in tainted assets.
GenLogs secures $60M to keep tabs on trucking industry with AI and roadside sensors
By Mike Wheatley — February 3, 2026
GenLogs raised $60 million to combine nationwide roadside sensors, satellite data, and AI to map real-time truck movements and uncover fraud and risk. Customers include brokers, insurers, and law enforcement, with applications from carrier vetting to cargo recovery. Over time, its empirical data could transform insurance pricing and logistics planning.
