This Week in B2B: AI Integrations, FinTech Innovations

Borrowing from the adage – if you keep bringing old bricks, you keep building the same house – modernizing B2B processes is increasingly difficult for B2B companies as they continue to rely on legacy back-office technology.

As 2025 unfolds, the financial landscape is undergoing a transformation. The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), B2B payment innovation and FinTech investment has become a driving force, changing how businesses operate, collaborate and transact.

For businesses navigating this evolving era, the future of B2B innovation lies at the intersection of technology and innovation. AI is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a necessity, driving efficiencies and enabling smarter decision-making. FinTech investments and acquisitions mark a maturing industry, while developments in B2B payments highlight the importance of agility and flexibility.

The way forward involves not only tracking these trends but actively shaping them. By embracing innovation and fostering collaboration, companies can position themselves as leaders in the financial ecosystem.

AI Integration Is Emerging as the New Standard in B2B Financial Operations

AI is taking center stage as businesses seek to optimize operational efficiency and gain a competitive edge. This trend is particularly evident in the areas of accounts receivable, treasury management and enterprise resource planning (ERP).

“Generative AI has the potential to transform many industries, and the (B2B) payment industry without exception,” Enhance Payment Solutions Chief Technology Officer Rinku Sharma told PYMNTS, in an interview posted Thursday (Jan. 23).

A recent report by PYMNTS Intelligence highlights that 78% of middle market CFOs plans to increase their investment in AI for accounts receivable. As discussed here Monday (Jan. 20), this reflects a broader shift toward the use of AI to streamline traditionally laborious processes, such as invoice management and payment collections.

Generative AI (GenAI), in particular, is emerging as a game-changer. GenAI enables the automation of data capture, minimizing manual errors and speeding up cash flow cycles – a development welcomed by businesses navigating uncertain economic conditions.

“For a long time, the industry has offered paperless payment alternatives,” including virtual cards, and real-time payments are poised to gain more traction,” Alex Hoffmanngeneral manager of North America at Edenred Paytold PYMNTS in a Conversations posted on Wednesday (Jan. 22). “What GenAI adds on top of all of this is that beyond payment, we can automatic the invoice-to-pay cycle.”

The impact of AI extends beyond individual processes to entire platforms. For example, Springbrook Software on Tuesday (Jan. 21) integrated AI tools to its ERP platform, specifically designed to improve invoicing for local governments. This addition highlights the importance of tailored AI solutions that address sector-specific needs, ultimately improving operational efficiencies and enabling smarter decision-making.

Read more: CFOs and Treasurers Accept Leading Roles in Organizational Data Monetization

B2B Payments Where Necessity Meets Innovation

B2B payments remain the cornerstone of the financial ecosystem. The need for faster, more secure and scalable solutions is prompting businesses to rethink legacy systems and embrace new platforms.

PYMNTS CONCEALED Wednesday is how this year’s World Economic Forum is promoting the so-called “Intelligent Age,” which lays out a framework for constant adaptation as the basis for business continuity amid accelerating technological disruptions. In B2B companies, the themes may be familiar, but the same question remains: can they move beyond seeing technology as a tool to embrace it as a mindset?

Innovative solutions are streamlining complex workflows, solving complex data requirements and reducing the inefficiencies of traditional systems. For example, Ramp on Wednesday added a treasury solution to its financial operations platform, enabling businesses to gain better visibility of cash flows and liquidity management.

Meanwhile, businesses targeting emerging markets are using technology to meet unique challenges. Waza said Monday launch on a multi-currency account platform is a case in point. The platform allows businesses to manage cross-border payments seamlessly, reducing friction in global trade. This is in line with the broader trend of FinTech platforms tackling historically underserved markets, promoting economic inclusion and growth.

However, B2B payment innovation is not without its challenges. Legacy technology remains a significant obstacle. Many organizations struggle to balance the need for modernization with the constraints of aging infrastructure. Cloud-native architectures are emerging as a solution, offering the scalability and agility needed to keep up with evolving needs.

In addition to technological advances, the integration of systems and operations has become more critical. CFOs and treasurers play a important role to bridge operational silos to ensure coherent strategies across departments. This ability to connect the dots across the organization is critical in a landscape where agility and adaptability are key to success.

Investments and Acquisitions Signal the Maturity of FinTech

The FinTech sector is maturing at an unprecedented pace. Significant investments and acquisitions are shaping the ecosystem, reflecting confidence in both emerging technologies and established platforms.

A notable transaction involves Pickup on Wednesday of Smartsheet, a work management platform, for $8.4 billion, making it a privately held company. This move highlights the growing need for tools that integrate advanced capabilities, such as AI and automation, into workflow management.

Meanwhile, companies like Highnote and MoneyHash are getting more funding to expand their capabilities. Highlights $90 million increase aims to develop its integrated payment platform, including a new acquisition solution, while MoneyHash’s $5.2 million investment focuses on improving payment orchestration in new markets.

Other areas of focus include AI-powered robotics. Sereact said $26 million funding round for warehouse robotics shows the expanding role of AI in operational domains beyond traditional finance, illustrating how cross-industry innovations are coming together to create a more efficient ecosystem.

These rounds of funding and acquisitions indicate that investors are well aware of the opportunities presented by FinTech innovation. Whether by boosting B2B payments or introducing AI-driven tools to address operational challenges, the capital flowing into this space underscores its key role in shaping the future of business.