As the number and type of small businesses accelerate worldwide, a parallel revolution is occurring in the business technology platforms that serve them. More than 5.6 million Americans now earn over $100,000 as independent workers, a figure that has doubled since 2020, and some tech CEOs believe the world will soon see its first one-person, billion-dollar company. This surge in solopreneurship is fueling demand for specialized platforms that understand the unique challenges of small business operations.

The Small Business Technology Revolution

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 84% of small business owners plan to increase technology use, with 96% intending to adopt emerging technologies. This appetite is translating into measurable growth for platforms serving this market. Shopify achieved double-digit growth with its gross merchandise value increasing from 20% in 2023 to 29% in 2025. Toast, the point-of-sale solution for restaurants, grew its annualized recurring revenue run rate 30% to $2 billion.

The winning platforms in this space share a common approach: rather than offering generic business advice, they provide sector-specific guidance that reduces risk and accelerates learning. Manifest, backed by SimpliSafe founders, focuses on high-growth sectors like pet care and beauty that have historically been underserved by big technology companies. Its Dog Gurus platform helped one “petrepreneur” identify safety discrepancies including loose bolts and faulty latches, enabling him to launch a facility now serving 84 dogs.

Benefits access startups like Besolo, founded in 2024 as solopreneurship surged, address operational challenges including tax compliance and retirement planning. The company’s acquisition by Lettuce in late 2025 demonstrates the value of solving these fundamental infrastructure problems for independent workers.

Even more specialized players are finding success. Qnity provides consulting and data specifically for salons and beauty professionals, creating community among small businesses that share challenges and best practices. Wonderschool, backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Goldman Sachs, supports childcare entrepreneurs with licensing, quality management, marketing, and back-office tasks, addressing critical supply issues in America’s childcare deserts.

For investors, this ecosystem represents a significant market opportunity. Just as gig platforms reshaped work a decade ago by lowering participation barriers, the next wave of small business software will define how millions of solopreneurs build durable, scalable enterprises. The winners will not simply automate tasks; they will reduce complexity, provide expert guidance, and enable founders to focus on their areas of skill and strength rather than the nuances of business administration.

Small businesses contribute over 50% of GDP, and the technology platforms that empower them quietly may offer the next big space for investors seeking exposure to the fastest-growing sector of the economy.