Tipalti’s RIF impact on small businesses, Stampli Edge debuts for SMBs

On July 24, 2025, two significant announcements in the accounts payable automation space told very different stories about how fintech companies support small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs).

While Tipalti announced a RIF – essentially layoffs – citing the need to reduce exposure to smaller customers, Stampli released Stampli Edge, a new AP automation solution designed specifically for qualified prospects in the fast-growing SMB market.

The timing suggests more than coincidence. It may indicate two fundamentally different philosophies about serving smaller businesses in an increasingly competitive market.

Tipalti CEO cites small customer “exposure” behind RIF

Tipalti’s July 24 announcement marked the company’s second major round of layoffs in recent years, following a reduction of 123 employees in early 2023. This latest Tipalti RIF affected dozens of employees globally, according to reports from Calcalist Tech.

But the layoffs themselves weren’t the most telling part of the announcement. It was CEO Chen Amit’s explanation of the strategic reasoning behind the Tipalti reduction in force that caught attention.

“We are focusing on mid‑market customers and reducing our exposure to small customers,” Amit told Calcalist Tech.

This framing of small business customers as “exposure” suggests that Tipalti may view serving smaller companies as a risk to be minimized rather than an opportunity to be pursued. This framing could signal a fundamental shift in how the company approaches customer segmentation, support, and resource allocation.

For SMB finance leaders who currently rely on Tipalti for accounts payable automation, this strategic pivot may raise questions about their future relationship with the platform.

What the Tipalti RIF could mean for small business customers

When an AP automation vendor announces it is reducing focus on a customer segment, the implications may extend beyond sales and marketing efforts. Small business customers of Tipalti might experience:

• Reduced support priority: With fewer resources allocated to the SMB segment, smaller accounts could be deprioritized and see longer response times or potentially not be served at all.

• Limited product development: Investment in features that primarily benefit smaller businesses may decrease as the company focuses development resources on mid-market and enterprise needs.

• Stricter qualification criteria: Growing small business prospects may face more rigorous evaluation processes or find themselves directed toward Tipalti alternatives. 

While Tipalti hasn’t announced plans to discontinue service for existing SMB customers, the company’s stated intention to reduce small customer exposure suggests these businesses may no longer be a strategic priority.

Stampli Edge is now available for SMBs

Coinciding with Tipalti’s shift, Stampli announced Stampli Edge – a purpose-built AP automation solution designed for qualified small businesses that need more than basic bill pay, but not all the bells and whistles of an end-to-end procure-to-pay platform. 

Where Tipalti might see small businesses as a risk, Stampli sees an opportunity. Stampli Edge was created specifically for companies that still want robust AP automation but don’t want to be treated like second-class customers. It’s built to fill the gap left by competitors: a solution that offers sophisticated features scaled for lean teams.

Here’s what sets Stampli Edge apart:

• Built for growing SMBs: Not a stripped-down product. Stampli Edge delivers powerful AP automation in a simplified, cost-effective package.
  
• Go live in days: With plug-and-play integration to ERPs like QuickBooks Online, Sage Intacct, and Oracle NetSuite, Stampli Edge doesn’t require lengthy implementations or complex IT support.
  
• End-to-end AP automation: Invoice capture, approval routing, payment workflows, and card management – all streamlined and centralized.
  
• AI-powered copilot: “Billy” – Stampli’s AI assists with coding invoices, eliminating manual entry and reducing human error.
  
• In-product messaging: All invoice-related conversations happen in-platform – including vendor communication – creating a seamless audit trail.
  

Looking Forward

The July 24 announcements mark a clear divergence in how two major AP automation providers view the small business market. While Tipalti’s RIF may indicate a strategic shift and may suggest that the company believes its future lies with larger accounts, Stampli’s launch of Edge indicates its continued investment in SMB-focused solutions.

For small business finance leaders, this divergence may actually represent an opportunity. It could lead to more specialized solutions designed specifically for their needs rather than enterprise platforms scaled down for smaller users.

The key will be identifying vendors whose strategic priorities align with your business size and growth trajectory – and who view your company as an opportunity rather than exposure to be reduced.

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