Mark Cuban Advises New Grads to Target Small Businesses

Mark Cuban has issued a strategic directive for the class of 2025: look to small to medium businesses for employment. The billionaire investor argues that while large corporations may not need fresh talent to implement cutting-edge technology, SMBs are prime environments for new graduates to demonstrate value. Specifically, Cuban highlights the adoption of AI agents as the key differentiator.

The recommendation arrives during a particularly competitive hiring cycle. Data indicates a contraction in available roles and a surge in applications per role. However, smaller companies are actively recruiting, often leveraging the flexibility that Gen Z candidates prioritize. By teaching these smaller entities how to utilize autonomous virtual assistants, new graduates can secure positions and immediately impact the bottom line.

In a post on X, the former "Shark Tank" star outlined why new graduates should pivot their job search toward entrepreneurial companies. Cuban emphasized that these environments allow new hires to teach management how to use agents to optimize processes that were previously too costly or time-consuming to handle manually.

The billionaire investor explicitly stated that "Big companies don't need new grads for this," referring to the implementation of AI workflows. Conversely, he noted that "Entrepreneurial companies will love the value you add." Cuban advised job hunters to focus on agentic AI, asserting that it is the specific area where new graduates can provide "immediate value in ways the companies didn't know they needed."

The concept of agentic AI has dominated technology discussions this year. These systems function as virtual assistants capable of completing tasks autonomously from start to finish without requiring continuous user prompts. This shift toward automation has prompted companies to significantly increase their investment in these tools.

Industry leaders have already signaled the importance of this technology. 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. The adoption rate reflects this sentiment; a study by Jellyfish involving over 400 companies showed that agentic AI adoption rose from 50% in December 2024 to 82% in May.

Financial projections suggest massive economic impact. Morgan Stanley released a note in November predicting that AI shopping agents will contribute an additional $115 billion to the US e-commerce industry by the year 2030.

Cuban's advice is particularly relevant given the current economic climate for job seekers. New graduates are entering a market characterized by a scarcity of open roles. California-based employment platform Handshake reported in May that job postings on their site had declined by 15% compared to the previous year.

Competition for these limited positions has intensified. Handshake data shows that the number of applications per job posting has increased by 30%. Despite these hurdles, there is a silver lining for those targeting smaller organizations. According to Handshake, more than a third of all full-time job applications from new graduates went to companies with 250 employees or fewer.

Small companies are also adapting their recruitment strategies to appeal to the modern workforce. Workplace researchers noted that SMBs are offering flexible work arrangements, specifically the ability to work from home, to compete with larger firms for top talent.

Mark Cuban’s recommendation highlights a shifting dynamic in the labor market. As AI agents become standard tools in business operations, the ability to implement and manage these systems is becoming a valuable asset. New graduates who target small to medium businesses may find not only employment but also a unique opportunity to drive significant operational changes. By focusing on entrepreneurial environments that value flexibility and innovation, graduates can navigate the current economic challenges and build a strong foundation for their careers.