The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership — The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability
From The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program — Events and Interviews by The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
March 19, 2026 · 1h 12m
About this episode
This episode discusses the evolving landscape of small business ownership and finance in the U.S., highlighting innovations and challenges.
The small business economy, and the capital that fuels it, are changing in dramatic ways. Innovations in financing, new patterns of entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and shifting market and policy dynamics are reshaping what it means to own, operate, and grow a small business in the United States. What is the future of the small business economy and access to capital during this time of profound change? This discussion is one of several that took place as part of “ The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability ,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026. The event featured panels with policymakers, small business owners, advocates, lenders, and technologists on solutions to support responsible innovation and sustainable small business prosperity. Panels include: The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership Innovations Driving Small Business Lending Forward: It’s Not All About AI Main Street Challenges and Policy Solutions For more information, including a transcript, photos, speaker bios, and additional resources, visit our website . For highlights from…
Topics covered
- small business ownership
- small business finance
- artificial intelligence
- entrepreneurship
- market dynamics
Keywords
- capital access
- responsible innovation
- sustainable prosperity
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Advancing Innovation and Fairness in Small Business Finance
Places: the United States
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