AI in the SMB Sector as an Opportunity: Indus Holding and Sartorius Are Already Doing It, Miivo AI Targets Smaller Companies

Indus Holding: Mechanical Engineering Benefits from Image Recognition

Indus Holding, a SDAX-listed company, demonstrates how to bridge the gap between the workshop and algorithms. The holding company brings together niche champions among small and medium-sized businesses and strategically equips its Engineering, Infrastructure, and Materials Solutions divisions with future-oriented technologies. A key component of this strategy was the 2024 acquisition of the Berlin-based image processing specialist GESTALT Automation. In 2025, the company generated approximately EUR 1.5 million in revenue from external customers while also supplying high-precision optical inspection systems to sister companies within the Indus portfolio. The group leverages synergies through initiatives such as venture clienting and structured potential workshops. This approach is paying off for Indus. For the full year 2026, the SMB investment firm is targeting consolidated revenue of EUR 1.90 to 2.10 billion and an adjusted operating profit of EUR 220 to 260 million. In the first half of 2026, the operating margin had already climbed to 12.8% from 6.7% in the same period a year earlier, while earnings per share rose to EUR 2.49 from EUR 1.13. This shows that AI and the SMB sector are a perfect match.

Sartorius: Deep Learning in Cutting-Edge Research

The DAX-listed company Sartorius is using AI to significantly shorten long development cycles in biopharmaceuticals. Together with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, the Göttingen-based company operates the Sartorius AI Lab at its Kaiserslautern site. Under the direction of Prof. Andreas Dengel, the lab develops customized neural networks for automated image and pattern recognition of living cells. Using the Umetrics Suite and the mathematical software system SIMCA, Sartorius reduces high-dimensional bioreactor process data to manageable factors. Analysis tools now fully automatically monitor cell viability. At the same time, the company is advancing hybrid digital twins that link physical fermentation models with algorithms to detect faulty batches early on. Industry estimates forecast significant double-digit annual growth rates for the global market for digital twins in biopharmaceutical production through 2033. Sartorius is thus securing a key position in a high-margin, future-oriented field.

Miivo AI Targets the SMB Segment with Turnkey Agent Software

While industry giants like Indus are automating production lines and Sartorius is making laboratories fit for the future, Miivo AI is focusing on administrative processes for small and medium-sized businesses. Under the leadership of CEO Alexander Damouni, the Canadian technology company is building an operating system precisely tailored to small and medium-sized businesses. These businesses account for around 90% of all companies worldwide but rarely have the budgets for complex IT solutions. Miivo AI lowers this barrier to entry with modular software components that are quickly ready for use. The platform's technological evolution unfolds in three clearly defined stages. After initially aggregating scattered business data to enable real-time transparency, the team introduced specialized work modules. These include the B2B tool Miivo Sales Leads for automatically reaching out to decision-makers, as well as a fully automated Customer Insights tool. This tool scours Google Reviews, Reddit, and Instagram for brand mentions, analyzes customer sentiment, and automatically generates appropriate draft responses.

In the third phase of expansion, Miivo AI is implementing software agents that independently handle routine administrative tasks in sales, finance, and customer service via voice and text inputs. The system consistently follows the principle of human oversight, with the aim of relieving specialists of repetitive work. While corporations like Oracle rely on complex cloud infrastructure and Salesforce has frustrated customers with frequent pricing model adjustments, Miivo AI aims to stand out with simplicity that directly lowers costs.

Debt-Free Balance Sheet Provides Leeway for the Next Phase of Growth

Miivo AI's business model is based on recurring revenue from a modular Software-as-a-Service platform that mid-sized companies can quickly adopt. To continuously expand its offerings and reliably serve mid-sized customers, Miivo AI relies on a solid capital base rather than loans. With an equity base of approximately CAD 5.5 million and no debt, the key financial metrics look strong. The market capitalization of just around CAD 18 million also offers potential for investors. Miivo AI is addressing precisely the area that has so far remained off-limits to millions of commercial enterprises: the straightforward, immediate automation of knowledge work without complex IT infrastructure. The coming quarters will show whether Miivo AI's plan pays off. The company offers an attractive opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on the breakthrough of AI solutions in the SMB sector.