Ninety-three percent of small business owners expect growth in 2026—a record high that signals an economy moving at full throttle. The latest Small Business Cash Flow Report from lender OnDeck and analytics firm Ocrolus reveals not just optimism, but a fundamental reshaping of how entrepreneurs fund their ventures, manage risk, and leverage new technologies.
This surge in confidence matters because small businesses are the backbone of employment and innovation across most economies. When owners feel bullish about growth, they hire, invest, and expand—creating ripple effects through local communities. Yet what makes this moment particularly significant is not simply the headline optimism, but what it reveals about how business owners are adapting to a changing landscape.
Nearly a third of respondents expect significant growth specifically, while owners are making deliberate strategic shifts to protect and grow their operations. Cash flow has emerged as the primary concern for 31% of businesses—surpassing inflation for the first time as the top worry, a telling indicator that entrepreneurs are shifting focus from macro anxieties to operational realities. Inflation, historically the leading concern, fell to second place at 29%.
The most striking finding involves how small businesses are funding themselves. More than 76% of owners now bypass traditional banks for capital, another survey record. This reflects both the growing availability of alternative lending platforms and a pragmatic calculation by entrepreneurs about where they can access funds most efficiently. When asked what will shape their 2026 strategy, 46% cited access to credit as the top factor—underscoring how crucial funding decisions are to their plans. Consumer spending came in second at 42%, followed by interest rates at 35%.
Perhaps most fascinating is the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence among small business owners. Fifty-eight percent now use AI tools in their operations, and among those users, 89% report a positive impact on their business. This isn't hype; it's a tangible shift in how owners work. From automating administrative tasks to gaining clearer visibility into financial performance, AI is becoming a practical tool for efficiency and decision-making.
Cory Kampfer, Co-President of Small Business Lending at Enova, captured the spirit in the report: "Small businesses aren't slowing down; they're planning ahead, investing in growth and finding new ways to operate more efficiently." That mirrors what David Snitkof, General Manager of Small Business at Ocrolus, observed: owners are "making deliberate choices supported by better data and clearer visibility into their financial performance."
The data comes from a robust sample: 651 small and medium-sized businesses with working capital loans and more than 3.69 million financing applications tracked over time. The survey itself was conducted in early March 2026, capturing real-time sentiment from business owners actively managing their operations.
What emerges is a portrait of pragmatic optimism. Small business owners are neither blind to challenges nor paralyzed by them. They're adjusting pricing, exploring new suppliers, adopting new tools, and seeking capital through channels that work for them. The confidence isn't naive—it's grounded in action. As 2026 unfolds, these entrepreneurs are betting on growth not through wishful thinking, but through deliberate adaptation and investment in both technology and operational efficiency.