X (formerly Twitter) has announced the beta release of Grok-2, the latest iteration of its cutting-edge language model, designed to elevate chat, coding, and reasoning capabilities. This release introduces two models: Grok-2 and its more compact sibling, Grok-2 mini. Both models are now available to users on the X platform. Key Highlights of Grok-2: Advanced…
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced an agreement with India’s Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two nations to promote small business participation in the global marketplace. This memorandum of understanding (MOU) is the SBA’s first formal partnership with India and underscores the…
Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) has announced the general availability of Adobe Journey Optimizer (AJO) B2B Edition, a groundbreaking tool designed to transform how businesses engage with buying groups— the committees of individuals responsible for major purchasing decisions. Leveraging generative AI, this new offering will enable brands to identify and personalize experiences for these decision-making groups, driving…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in 25 Minnesota counties affected by severe storms and flooding that began on June 16, 2024. Taxpayers in these areas now have until February 3, 2025, to file various federal tax returns and make tax payments. Affected Areas The IRS is offering…
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have announced a new partnership aimed at promoting veteran entrepreneurship. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) and the VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to enhance access to self-employment assistance and SBA…
The U.S. Forest Service has announced the availability of Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance grants, aimed at supporting projects that remove hazardous fuels from national forests and grasslands. These grants are designed to enhance forest health and resilience, reduce wildfire risk, and support local forest product facilities and rural economies. Purpose and Impact The Hazardous Fuels…
TikTok has unveiled its second annual “What’s Next 2024: Shopping Trend Report,” highlighting the transformative shifts in consumer behavior influenced by economic uncertainty and inflation. The report provides insights into the evolving emotions, communities, and relationships that are shaping shopping habits, with a focus on how TikTok users are adapting their spending strategies to prioritize…
Meta has opened applications for the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants program, designed to support innovative and impactful uses of its open source AI model, Llama 3.1. This initiative builds on last year’s successful Llama Impact Grants program, which aimed to tackle global challenges in education, the environment, and open innovation. Expanding the Potential of Open…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in partnership with the Security Summit, announced today that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is now a federal requirement for all tax professionals under the Federal Trade Commission’s safeguards rule. This mandate aims to bolster the security of sensitive client information by requiring more than just a username and password for system…
Another busy week for small business owners in America is in the books. So, let’s take a look back at what you may have missed. In the news this week, we learned about how a member of the DeLorean family is looking to relaunch the iconic vehicle brand. Plus, there were some interesting partnerships formed…