ZenBusiness Expands Velo AI Guide as U.S. Business Applications Hit 5.62 Million
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jun 23
ZenBusiness Expands Velo AI Guide as U.S. Business Applications Hit 5.62 Million
1 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jun 23
Summary
ZenBusiness opened broader access to its Velo AI guide, adding new blueprint features that generate business ideas, validate opportunities, estimate startup costs and advise on entity selection.
Free-account users can now save and view those blueprints across devices, a push aimed at solopreneurs as CEO Ross Buhrdorf predicts more workers displaced by AI will start businesses.
U.S. business formation applications reached a record 5.62 million in 2025, up 8.2% from 2024 and roughly double 2019's 3.5 million baseline; 2026 applications are running about 17% higher to date.
Velo, launched in July 2025, has handled more than 2 million conversations, resolved 72% of customer needs without human handoff, and is used by more than half of ZenBusiness customers.
Nearly 75% of ZenBusiness customers are solo operators, underscoring the company's bet that AI-assisted guidance and partner tools such as Squarespace will help capture a broader entrepreneurship wave.