According to financial information provider Sageworks, fewer private U.S. companies are defaulting on their loans, reports Businessweek. Sageworks’ report shows the average risk of default decreased to 4.1 percent, this is down from 5.1 percent in April 2012.

TriNet's SMBeat, a detailed monthly analysis of trends in key human capital economic indicators for small businesses, reports the technology industry continues to lead the way of innovation and employment for many cities across the U.S. TriNet companies in the technology vertical saw a 0.86% increase in job growth. In particular, the Massachusetts tech industry reestablished itself as an epicenter for innovation, with renewed vitality and niche markets for tech entrepreneurs. SMBeat data supports this trend and confirms a job increase of 2.04% in the Bay State.

Cox Business has expanded its portfolio of business solutions with the addition of PayLeap, a cloud based merchant and card processing service via a strategic relationship with Acculynk.  The first MSO to offer a managed payment solution, Cox Business is rolling out the offering across its footprint based on a successful pilot. 

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence (CMI), the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs, has announced the release of Small Business Perfect Pitch, a new mobile application designed to help all small business owners improve on one of their two-minute business pitch.