
Get McKinsey-Level Strategy Reports for a Fraction of the Price
High-end consulting from firms like McKinsey has always been out of reach for small businesses. A new AI startup called Rocket is changing that. It's offering a platform that combines strategic planning, product roadmapping, and competitive intelligence into reports that look a lot like what the big guys produce, but for a tiny fraction of the cost. Instead of just generating code or copy, Rocket's AI digs into market data to give you actionable business advice. Think of it as an analyst-on-demand. You can use it to explore a new market you're considering, see how your product stacks up against the competition, or find gaps you could exploit. It’s about making smarter, data-backed decisions without a six-figure consulting fee. This trend of AI-powered consulting means top-tier business intelligence is no longer a corporate luxury. It's becoming a tool any small business can use to punch above its weight.
It gives your business access to strategic insights that were once only affordable for huge corporations, leveling the playing field.
Source: TechCrunch AI
Quick Hits
Big Money Bypasses VCs to Bet Directly on AI
Family offices and private wealth groups are increasingly investing directly into AI startups, skipping the traditional venture capital funds. This shows a massive confidence in the AI space from some of the world's wealthiest investors. For you, this means even more money is flooding in to create new, affordable AI tools for businesses.
TechCrunch AIOpenAI Insiders Launch a $100M Fund
A group of OpenAI alumni have started a new venture fund called Zero Shot, aiming to raise $100 million. The people who built the foundational models are now funding the next wave of companies building on top of them. Expect a surge of new, highly capable applications to hit the market soon.
TechCrunch AIWorkflow Automation Is Now Table Stakes
A new report highlights the top companies in workflow automation, confirming what many small businesses are learning: automating tasks isn't a luxury, it's essential for survival. From invoicing to customer follow-ups, if a task is repetitive, there's likely an AI tool that can do it for you, freeing you up to focus on growth.
Business AutomationTool of the Day

Gamma
Create polished presentations and docs in seconds.
Gamma is an AI-powered tool that builds entire presentations, documents, or webpages from a simple text prompt. You provide the raw ideas, and it handles all the design, formatting, and layout, saving you hours of messing with slides.
Find the last bullet-point list you sent in an email. Copy it, paste it into Gamma, and use the prompt 'Create a presentation from these points about our Q2 marketing plan'. Watch it build a professional deck in under 60 seconds.
productivity
Check it out →The Number
70%
That's the portion of a manager's time that could be freed up by using currently available automation technologies. For a business owner, that's more time for strategy, sales, and everything else that actually grows the business.
Source: McKinsey Global Institute
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