Discover which AI tools top investors actually use and how small businesses can benefit from their insights to enhance efficiency in 2025.image

AI Investors’ Favorite Tools: What SMBs Should Know in 2025

AI Investors Don’t Use Most AI Tools. Here Are the Ones They Do Use — What Small Businesses Should Know in 2025

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

  • Most AI investors avoid popular AI tools, instead relying on a select few strategic platforms that offer real utility.
  • Understanding why investors gravitate toward certain tools can help entrepreneurs make smarter, ROI-driven tech decisions.
  • This article breaks down which tools investors actually use according to qz.com — and why.
  • We’ll show how business owners can apply the same logic to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
  • Includes actionable steps and how AI Naanji helps businesses put these ideas into motion.

Table of Contents

What AI Tools Do Investors Actually Use (And Why)?

It may be shocking, but AI investors tend to avoid the buffet of consumer-grade AI apps available today. The data shows that most heavily favor:

  1. ChatGPT (particularly GPT-4, via OpenAI)
  2. Perplexity.ai (for research-based browsing)
  3. Midjourney or DALL·E (selectively, for image prototyping)
  4. A few AI voice or text platforms like ElevenLabs and Notion AI

So why these tools?

  • Reliability and customizability: Tools like ChatGPT consistently deliver useful outputs for workflows such as email drafts, market analysis, or meeting prep.
  • Breadth of use cases: Perplexity.ai offers search experiences that go beyond Google by aggregating concise, cited answers from trusted sources.
  • Scalable productivity: Tools that integrate well with existing processes, like Notion AI for note-taking and task management, support habit-forming business behavior.
  • Iterative content creation: Visual and audio content tools such as ElevenLabs automate creative workflows, especially for presentations or product materials.

Rather than overloading their tech stack, investors double down on a few flexible platforms. The lesson for small and medium businesses could be: pick fewer tools, but use them deeply.

Why Do Even AI Investors Avoid Most AI Tools?

The truth is, novelty isn’t enough to build lasting habits — even among AI insiders.

The Quartz article reveals that many AI investors tried popular tools but quickly abandoned them due to:

  • Lack of real-world application
  • Steep learning curves or inconsistent outputs
  • Overhyped features that break in practice

In contrast, the tools they stick with:

  • Offer crystal-clear ROI (time saved, accuracy gained, output scaled)
  • Solve practical everyday problems (e.g., quick answers, faster drafts)
  • Integrate with other favorite apps (like Notion, Slack, or Google Docs)

This insight should encourage business owners to rethink their frenzied AI tool adoption. Instead, focus on what’s dependable and directly supports your execution.

What Are the Top AI Tools for Entrepreneurs and SMBs in 2025?

Building on the investor preference data, we’ve matched those tools to the use cases most common for small and growing businesses.

Tool Use Case Why It Works for SMBs
ChatGPT (GPT-4) Customer support scripts, writing, coding queries Extremely versatile, low learning curve
Perplexity.ai Market research, competitor tracking, quick fact-checking AI-powered search with citations
Notion AI Internal documentation, brainstorming, planning Seamless integration if already using Notion
Midjourney/DALL·E Popup visuals, social media, ads Fast turnaround for quality design mockups
ElevenLabs Audio content, podcasts, voiceovers Professional-grade voices, usable in real time

These tools reward deeper usage rather than shallow sampling. For busy SMB teams, they strike the balance between power and simplicity.

How to Implement This in Your Business

Want to apply the smart-investor approach to your operations? Here’s a tested process:

  1. Audit Your Current Tool Stack
    Eliminate tools not used at least weekly. Track team usage for one month to spot dead weight.
  2. Align Tools with Business Goals
    Map each tool to a real process: lead gen, customer support, content creation, etc. Axe tools that don’t directly serve key systems.
  3. Focus on Cross-Functional Tools
    Favor platforms like ChatGPT or Notion AI that can be used across teams — marketing, admin, sales, and support.
  4. Train Your Team on Just a Few
    Don’t overwhelm staff with too many platforms. Instead, go deep with 2–3 AI tools they can master and reuse.
  5. Automate Repeat Tasks with Workflows
    Once a tool works well manually, explore automation options. For example, use n8n to trigger Notion updates from CRM changes.
  6. Review Quarterly, Not Yearly
    AI is moving fast. Review your toolkit every few months and assess what’s still delivering value.

How AI Naanji Helps Businesses Leverage AI the Right Way

At AI Naanji, we work with businesses to transform scattered app usage into streamlined, automated processes. Our expertise is in:

  • n8n workflow automation that connects AI tools like ChatGPT or ElevenLabs to CRMs, Slack, email, and more.
  • Custom AI consulting to help you evaluate which tools align best with your internal operations.
  • Tool integration packages that link productivity tools into seamless digital systems — no dev team required.

We help companies move beyond tactical tool usage and into scalable, strategic automation systems tailored for growth.

FAQ: AI Investors Don’t Use Most AI Tools. Here Are the Ones They Do Use

Q: Why don’t AI investors use more of the new tools on the market?
A: Many new tools focus on novelty, not usability. Investors prioritize tools that have broad value, strong UX, and deliver consistent results.

Q: What’s the number one AI tool used by investors?
A: ChatGPT (especially GPT-4 via paid accounts) tops the list for its versatility in research, content, and communication tasks.

Q: Are image and audio AI tools being used heavily by investors?
A: Selectively. Investors use platforms like ElevenLabs or Midjourney for prototyping or content testing, not full-scale production.

Q: Should SMBs try to mimic investor tool preferences?
A: Not blindly—but definitely use their behavior as a filter. If an investor won’t use a flashy AI tool, it’s probably not mission-critical.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake SMBs make with AI tool adoption?
A: Spreading out too thin across many platforms without integrating or training staff deeply on any one of them.

Conclusion

Digging into investor behavior reveals a surprisingly focused mindset: use only the AI tools that repeatedly prove their worth. The message from qz.com is clear — AI investors don’t use most AI tools. Here are the ones they do use, and for good reason.

If you’re a business owner or digital professional, you can follow their lead by narrowing your stack, aligning tools with outcomes, and automating high-impact tasks. And if you want expert help designing those systems, AI Naanji is here to support you.

Related Posts