Enterprise Nation and Visa Foundation launch AI for Every Business initiative
Enterprise Nation and Visa Foundation have launched AI for Every Business, a three-year programme designed to reach micro and small businesses across the UK and Ireland providing support for adopting AI tools.
The initiative will help small businesses use AI tools securely and effectively.
Backed by a $2 million grant from Visa Foundation, the programme will provide free, targeted support to more than 157,000 small businesses over three years.
Support will range from practical videos, webinars, and regional events to personalised assessments and learning paths. A smaller cohort of entrepreneurs will receive more intensive support including coaching, peer learning, and one to one mentorship to help them put their AI tools into practice.
The launch comes as small businesses face a growing divide in digital adoption. According to the Enterprise Nation Tech Hub report, Digital and AI Adoption among UK SMEs: The State of Play in 2026, only one in five (21%) small businesses in the UK regularly use AI.
46% of small business owners don’t trust AI tools enough to act, while 42% said they would only engage with AI if it were completely free.
The report also highlighted differences in confidence in AI adoption depending on who runs the business with women reporting lower adoption intentions and lower trust.
Without targeted support, these businesses may see a decline in productivity, growth, and resilience benefits that responsible AI adoption could provide.
AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said: ““We want to make sure that entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and every region of the UK can feel the benefit of advances in AI. That’s why we support this initiative to ensure communities and businesses everywhere can embrace game-changing technology safely and confidently.”
Polly Dhaliwal, chief operating officer at Enterprise Nation, said: “If we want the UK to realise the full potential of AI, the private and philanthropy sectors need to reach the entrepreneurs who have the least time and resources to navigate the technology on their own.”
Rob Cameron, Group Country Manager, UK & Ireland at Visa, said: “By partnering with Enterprise Nation, Visa Foundation is helping to simplify that journey, giving founders free, tailored support to integrate AI tools that fit their business needs and help them grow with confidence.”
To date, Visa Foundation has invested $350 million globally to over 150 partners, helping reach 12 million small businesses.
AI for Every Business will launch in autumn 2026. Further details about eligibility, cohort intake and online learning will be announced at launch.
For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.
