AI is the partner businesses don’t know they need

By Alex Clansey, below, Co-founder and Chief Executive, Venture Planner

Start-up founders often rely on gut instincts and past experiences to make pivotal decisions, but these alone can’t always steer them toward success. Business plans built in isolation can fall into the trap of narrow thinking, with untested assumptions and unchecked strategies.

A familiar example is the TV show Dragons’ Den, where pitches often unravel due to over-optimistic forecasts, a poor grasp of the market, or unseen obstacles. While it may make for compelling television, the issues highlighted aren’t just for show – they reveal the very real challenges of refining business strategies under pressure. These pitfalls are even more pronounced for entrepreneurs who don’t have a reliable partner to challenge their assumptions and refine their approach.

That’s where AI offers a modern-day solution, stepping in as a collaborator that tests ideas, uncovers opportunities, and strengthens decision-making – ensuring entrepreneurs can be better equipped to succeed.

Spotting what you might miss

No business strategy is completely protected from blind spots. Leaders may focus on obvious risks and opportunities, but less apparent factors can slip through the cracks. AI can sift through vast amounts of data to uncover trends and risks that might otherwise go unnoticed.

For instance, imagine you’re preparing to launch a new fitness app aimed at busy professionals. Your instinct tells you the market is primed, but AI paints a different picture. A competitor is quietly gaining traction with a similar app offering personalised coaching. At the same time, your target audience is shifting towards features like gamification and social challenges – neither of which your product includes.

With this insight, you can adapt your strategy before launch, adding in-demand features or fine-tuning your messaging to highlight unique benefits. AI doesn’t just reveal blind spots, it can help you address them early to keep your plans on track.

Turning instinct into informed decision-making

Entrepreneurs often pride themselves on trusting their gut – a skill sharpened through experience but still vulnerable to bias. AI complements this instinct by providing data-driven insights that bring added depth and context to their decisions.

Let’s go back to that fitness app. You might have a strong feeling that launching an updated version with additional workout categories is the right move. But AI can dig deeper, analysing competitor strategies, user behaviour, and market trends to either validate or challenge that choice. It might reveal that users are increasingly interested in mental wellness features rather than purely physical fitness routines.

With this insight, you can adjust your plans to ensure they’re more aligned with what your audience wants. By combining your instincts with AI’s insights, you can make decisions that are not only confident but also backed by data, ensuring your strategy is both informed and resilient.

Scaling smarter strategies

One of the major advantages of AI is its scalability. From refining financial forecasts in a small business to optimising international staffing requirements for a global strategy, AI adapts to the needs and size of any company.

For example, businesses can attain a clear view of their health by accurately representing assets, liabilities, and equity across multiple operations or just one site. AI can even adjust pricing models to match the currency of the target market region, with taxation rates adapted in tandem. Region-specific sales taxes and income taxes can be automatically calculated and applied.

With our fitness app example, scaling might mean entering a new market. AI could identify which regions show the highest demand and recommend tailoring your subscription model to local income levels. It might even simulate different growth scenarios, helping you choose the most effective approach.

Equipping entrepreneurs with the confidence to move forward

Success in business requires informed decisions and the ability to adapt at every stage of growth. Tools like AI enhance this process by helping leaders refine strategies, address risks, and uncover new opportunities. For start-ups and established businesses alike, it provides the confidence to move forward, combining instinct with data-driven insights to support smarter decisions.

As AI continues to develop, it is set to become an essential resource, offering entrepreneurs the clarity they need to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.