Blab Tech
Mark Cuban Urges New Grads to Target Small Businesses as AI Levels the Playing Field
When Texas billionaire Mark Cuban posted on X on June 6, he told fresh graduates that the next big career move is not in a Fortune‑500 office but in a storefront or a garage. He warned that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping who creates jobs and how.
In his brief note, Cuban highlighted that small companies generate roughly 60 % of new U.S. jobs each year and that AI will make it easier for them to compete with larger firms. He wrote: “1. Small Business creates ~60% of new jobs every year 2. AI makes it easier and faster for them to compete with larger companies. 3. The % of jobs created by Small biz every year will only increase. 4. Start your job search with small businesses.”
The message is not a lone observation. Cuban has followed up with a series of articles that expand on the same theme. In an interview with Inc., he urged job seekers to market their AI experience to small‑to‑medium‑size businesses that are still learning how to use the technology, noting that “they don’t understand AI yet” and therefore need talent that can help them adopt it.
The 60 % figure is consistent with long‑standing data from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small firms—defined as enterprises with fewer than 500 employees—have historically accounted for the majority of net new jobs. Recent studies show that small businesses created 62.7 % of net new jobs in the United States since 1995.
Industry analysts point to a two‑fold impact of AI on small businesses. First, tools such as chatbots, predictive analytics and automated marketing can reduce labor costs and boost productivity. Second, AI lowers the barrier to entry for niche services, allowing small firms to offer capabilities that once required large‑scale infrastructure.
Cuban’s advice carries extra weight because of his own track record. He is the former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks, co‑owner of 2929 Entertainment, and a long‑time investor on the television show Shark Tank. He has founded and sold multiple technology companies, including MicroSolutions and Broadcast.com, and had a net worth of approximately $6 billion as of January 2026.
While the focus is on career strategy, Cuban’s remarks reflect a broader labor‑market trend. Employers across all sectors are increasingly seeking candidates with AI skills, and small businesses are positioning themselves to capture that talent. A 2025 survey of U.S. small‑business owners found that 48 % had begun experimenting with AI applications, up from 32 % in 2023.
Regulators have not yet issued specific guidance on AI adoption by small firms, but the U.S. Department of Labor announced a forthcoming framework to support workforce development in emerging technologies. The framework is expected to include training grants for small businesses that integrate AI into their operations.
In sum, Mark Cuban’s call to action for recent graduates is grounded in well‑established employment data and the accelerating influence of AI on small‑business competitiveness. The 60 % job‑creation figure underscores the importance of small firms in the U.S. economy, while AI’s growing accessibility suggests that these businesses will continue to attract and retain talent. As the technology landscape evolves, graduates who can demonstrate AI proficiency may find that small and medium‑size enterprises offer broader responsibilities and faster career growth than larger corporations.
In his brief note, Cuban highlighted that small companies generate roughly 60 % of new U.S. jobs each year and that AI will make it easier for them to compete with larger firms. He wrote: “1. Small Business creates ~60% of new jobs every year 2. AI makes it easier and faster for them to compete with larger companies. 3. The % of jobs created by Small biz every year will only increase. 4. Start your job search with small businesses.”
The message is not a lone observation. Cuban has followed up with a series of articles that expand on the same theme. In an interview with Inc., he urged job seekers to market their AI experience to small‑to‑medium‑size businesses that are still learning how to use the technology, noting that “they don’t understand AI yet” and therefore need talent that can help them adopt it.
The 60 % figure is consistent with long‑standing data from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small firms—defined as enterprises with fewer than 500 employees—have historically accounted for the majority of net new jobs. Recent studies show that small businesses created 62.7 % of net new jobs in the United States since 1995.
Industry analysts point to a two‑fold impact of AI on small businesses. First, tools such as chatbots, predictive analytics and automated marketing can reduce labor costs and boost productivity. Second, AI lowers the barrier to entry for niche services, allowing small firms to offer capabilities that once required large‑scale infrastructure.
Cuban’s advice carries extra weight because of his own track record. He is the former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks, co‑owner of 2929 Entertainment, and a long‑time investor on the television show Shark Tank. He has founded and sold multiple technology companies, including MicroSolutions and Broadcast.com, and had a net worth of approximately $6 billion as of January 2026.
While the focus is on career strategy, Cuban’s remarks reflect a broader labor‑market trend. Employers across all sectors are increasingly seeking candidates with AI skills, and small businesses are positioning themselves to capture that talent. A 2025 survey of U.S. small‑business owners found that 48 % had begun experimenting with AI applications, up from 32 % in 2023.
Regulators have not yet issued specific guidance on AI adoption by small firms, but the U.S. Department of Labor announced a forthcoming framework to support workforce development in emerging technologies. The framework is expected to include training grants for small businesses that integrate AI into their operations.
In sum, Mark Cuban’s call to action for recent graduates is grounded in well‑established employment data and the accelerating influence of AI on small‑business competitiveness. The 60 % job‑creation figure underscores the importance of small firms in the U.S. economy, while AI’s growing accessibility suggests that these businesses will continue to attract and retain talent. As the technology landscape evolves, graduates who can demonstrate AI proficiency may find that small and medium‑size enterprises offer broader responsibilities and faster career growth than larger corporations.
