Mark Cuban is advising recent graduates to target small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) rather than large corporations, arguing that this is where they can make the most immediate impact in today’s job market. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the billionaire investor and former “Shark Tank” star emphasized that new graduates possess valuable skills in AI agents that can transform how small businesses operate.
Cuban specifically highlighted that new grads can teach SMBs “how to use agents to optimize processes they couldn’t take the time or afford to do manually.” He noted that while big companies don’t necessarily need new graduates for this expertise, entrepreneurial companies will highly value these contributions. The investor stressed that AI agents represent an area where recent graduates can add “immediate value in ways the companies didn’t know they needed.”
AI agents are virtual assistants capable of completing tasks autonomously from start to finish without requiring constant user prompts. The technology has seen explosive adoption across the business world in 2025. According to a study by Jellyfish, a software engineering management service, agentic AI adoption among more than 400 companies surged from 50% in December 2024 to 82% by May 2025 – a remarkable 64% increase in just five months.
The AI agent revolution has captured the attention of tech industry leaders. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared in January that “The age of agentic AI is here,” while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman compared AI agents to junior employees in terms of their capabilities. The financial implications are substantial: Morgan Stanley projected in a November note that AI shopping agents alone could add $115 billion to the US e-commerce industry by 2030.
Cuban’s advice comes at a particularly challenging moment for new graduates entering the workforce. California-based employment platform Handshake reported in May that job postings were down 15% compared to the previous year, while applications per posting increased by 30%, indicating intensified competition. Interestingly, more than a third of full-time job applications from new graduates on Handshake’s platform went to companies with 250 employees or fewer, suggesting graduates are already gravitating toward smaller organizations.
Small companies are also adapting their recruitment strategies to attract Gen Z talent by offering something this generation values highly: flexible work arrangements and remote work options. Workplace researchers told Business Insider in July that these companies are leveraging work-from-home policies to compete with larger corporations for top talent.
Key Quotes
Big companies don’t need new grads for this. Entrepreneurial companies will love the value you add.
Mark Cuban explained why small and medium-sized businesses represent better opportunities for recent graduates looking to leverage their AI agent expertise, emphasizing that entrepreneurial companies will particularly appreciate the optimization capabilities new grads can bring.
The age of agentic AI is here.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made this declaration in January 2025, signaling that AI agents have moved from experimental technology to mainstream business tools, validating Cuban’s advice about the immediate value graduates can provide.
New grads can teach SMBs how to use agents to optimize processes they couldn’t take the time or afford to do manually.
Mark Cuban outlined the specific value proposition that recent graduates offer to small businesses – the ability to implement AI automation for processes that were previously inaccessible due to cost or complexity constraints.
Our Take
Cuban’s advice represents a pragmatic response to two converging trends: the democratization of AI technology and the challenging entry-level job market. What’s particularly insightful is his recognition that technical knowledge alone isn’t the value proposition – it’s the ability to identify and implement AI solutions for business problems that companies don’t even realize they have. This consultative approach transforms new graduates from cost centers into revenue generators. The 64% jump in agentic AI adoption in five months suggests we’re at an inflection point where businesses recognize the necessity of these tools but lack implementation expertise. Small businesses, which typically can’t afford dedicated AI teams or expensive consultants, represent an enormous untapped market. Graduates who position themselves as AI implementation specialists for SMBs aren’t just finding jobs – they’re creating an entirely new category of entry-level value creation that could redefine early-career trajectories in the AI era.
Why This Matters
This story highlights a critical shift in how new graduates can position themselves in an increasingly AI-driven economy. As AI agents become mainstream business tools, there’s a significant skills gap in small and medium-sized businesses that lack the resources or expertise to implement these technologies effectively. Cuban’s advice recognizes that recent graduates, who have grown up with AI tools and are more comfortable with emerging technologies, possess a unique competitive advantage.
The rapid adoption rate of agentic AI – jumping from 50% to 82% in just five months – demonstrates that this isn’t a future trend but a present reality reshaping business operations. For SMBs, AI agents offer the ability to automate processes that were previously too expensive or time-consuming, leveling the playing field with larger competitors. New graduates who can bridge the gap between AI capabilities and business needs become invaluable assets.
This also reflects broader labor market dynamics where traditional entry-level positions at large corporations are shrinking, while opportunities at smaller, more agile companies are growing. The convergence of AI expertise, entrepreneurial environments, and flexible work arrangements creates a compelling value proposition for both graduates and small businesses navigating the AI transformation.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-cuban-new-grads-small-businesses-ai-agents-2025-12