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Branch + Stripe Survey Finds Gig Work Is Becoming a Pathway to Primary Income and Entrepreneurship

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New research highlights the growing need for fast payouts and financial tools as gig work becomes a larger part of workers’ financial lives.

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Branch, a leading provider of workforce financial infrastructure, and Stripe, the programmable financial services company, have partnered on new research finding that gig work has become more than a source of supplemental income. For many workers, it is now a primary income stream, a flexible way to earn, and an entry point to entrepreneurship.

According to the new Branch + Stripe Gig Workforce Index, 56% of gig workers surveyed say gig work accounts for the majority of their household income. At the same time, many workers see gig work as more than a short-term stopgap: nearly half view it as either a permanent way to earn or a stepping stone to starting their own business.

As gig work becomes a more established part of workers’ financial lives, the findings point to the need for better financial infrastructure. Fast payouts ranked as one of the top factors that would make workers stay with a platform, second only to higher pay, and 3 in 10 workers (30%) say they have stopped using a platform because of a payment or payout issue. Over 80% say financial management tools provided by their platform would be moderately to extremely valuable.

“Gig work has become a meaningful path to income, flexibility, and long-term opportunity for many professionals,” said Atif Siddiqi, founder and CEO of Branch. “When gig work becomes someone’s primary income, getting paid quickly matters, but so does what happens next. Marketplaces and platforms that go beyond fast, reliable payouts to support workers’ broader financial lives will be best positioned to support and retain today’s flexible workforce.”

“As gig workers increasingly turn to marketplace and platforms as their primary source of income, they’re looking for financial tools that help them manage and grow their earnings,” said Sateesh Srinivasan, Product and Business Lead for Money Management at Stripe. “Together, Branch and Stripe give those companies an easier way to deliver those richer financial experiences, earning deeper worker loyalty and accelerating their own growth in the process.”

The research also finds that many gig workers see AI as a tool to help them find and manage opportunities: 77% of respondents say AI could help them in at least one area of their work, including finding new gigs or clients (50%), scheduling or managing their time (44%), setting prices or negotiating rates (32%), and writing messages, listings, or proposals (32%).

Key Findings

Gig work rewards speed and flexibility.

More than 60% of respondents say they need to respond to a posted gig in less than two minutes before it is gone, including 29% who say they need to respond in under 30 seconds.46% of gig workers actively use three or more platforms or apps to pick up work.

Fast payouts can influence platform choice and retention.

89% say faster, more reliable payouts would make them more likely to choose one platform over another.3 in 10 workers (30%) say they have stopped using a platform because of a payment or payout issue.72% use their pay within 24 hours of it landing—most often to pay bills (45%) or buy essentials like groceries and gas (27%)—while only about 1 in 8 are able to move any of it into savings.

Gig workers see AI as a tool to help grow and manage their work.

77% of respondents say AI could help them in at least one area of their work.50% say AI could help them find new gigs or clients.44% say AI could help with scheduling or managing their time.32% say AI could help with setting prices or negotiating rates.32% say AI could help with writing messages, listings, or proposals.

Gig work is an entry point to entrepreneurship, but costs can get in the way.

23% of respondents view gig work as a stepping stone to starting their own business.Among those interested in starting a business, the top barriers include startup capital (49%) and inconsistent income (37%).53% spend more than a quarter of their gig earnings on job-related expenses such as gas, vehicle maintenance, parking, and supplies.Fuel and transportation is the single largest out-of-pocket cost for 61% of workers, well ahead of vehicle maintenance (22%).

Financial tools can help workers manage income volatility and upfront costs.

68% of respondents say they could not cover, or were unsure they could cover, a surprise $400 emergency expense.78% say their weekly gig income varies from week to week.84% say financial management tools provided by their platform would be moderately to extremely valuable.

To view the full Branch + Stripe Gig Workforce Index, visit https://branchapp.com/resources/2026-gig-workforce-index.

Methodology

The survey was conducted June-July 2026 among 1,027 gig and flexible workers across a range of industries, including delivery, rideshare, home services, healthcare, caregiving, logistics, creative services, marketplace selling, technology, tutoring, and warehouse work.

About Branch

Branch is the leading provider of workforce financial infrastructure that delivers faster, more flexible options for people to get paid. Whether it’s sending earnings to employees or contractors, companies choose Branch because they know that faster payments can help them strengthen worker loyalty, save time and money, and drive business growth. Earners that sign up with Branch can receive a free deposit account, fast access to earned wages, rewards, and personal finance tools to help them manage their cash flow between paychecks. Branch partners with the nation’s leading companies in healthcare, last-mile delivery, logistics, and restaurants/hospitality. Branch has been honored with a Webby Award—Best Financial Services, FinTech Breakthrough Award, Gartner Eye on Innovation: Financial Services, and Great Place to Work Certification. To learn more about Branch, visit https://www.branchapp.com and follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

CONTACT

Adrianne Ho
Branch
Press@branchapp.com 

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Space-based Data Center Market worth $28.16 billion by 2040 – Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — According to MarketsandMarkets™, the space-based data center market is estimated to grow from USD 0.11 billion in 2026 to USD 28.16 billion by 2040, at a CAGR of 18.3% during the forecast period.

Browse 200 market data Tables and 100 Figures spread through 300 Pages and in-depth TOC on ” Space-based Data Center Market – Global Forecast to 2040″

Space-based Data Center Market Size & Forecast:

Market Size Available for Years: 2021–20402026 Market Size: USD 0.11 billion2040 Projected Market Size: USD 28.16 billionCAGR (2026–2040): 18.3%

Space-based Data Center Market Trends & Insights:

The space-based data center market is growing as satellites and other spacecraft generate more data. This has increased demand for in-orbit computing and space edge computing, which allow processing information directly in space before transmitting it to Earth. Onboard processing can help reduce data transfer requirements and support faster analysis of data generated in space.By payload, the data storage unit segment will register the highest growth rate of 18.3% during the forecast period.By communication infrastructure, the solution segment accounts for the largest market share.By application, the data processing & analytics segment is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period.By power capacity, ≥1 MW segment will register the highest CAGR of 32.6% during the forecast period.By end user, the government & defense segment will register the highest growth during the forecast period.By region, Europe is expected to register a CAGR of 43.6% during the forecast period.

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The growing strain on terrestrial data center infrastructure is pushing companies to explore new ways to add computing capacity. Large facilities require significant power, land, cooling, and grid support, while demand from AI and other data-intensive applications continues to rise. This is creating interest in space-based data centers as a complementary option for selected workloads. A growing focus on resilient and distributed digital infrastructure, along with continued improvements in launch economics and spacecraft capabilities, is expected to support further investment in the market.

≤100 kW segment to hold a larger market share in 2026.

By power capacity, the ≤100 kW segment is expected to account for a larger share of the space-based data center market in 2026, since early deployments are likely to rely on smaller, more manageable computing platforms. These systems are better suited for technology demonstrations, hosted payloads, edge processing and limited-scale data storage where power availability remains constrained. Their lower power requirement also makes them easier to integrate with existing satellite platforms and reduces demands on thermal management and energy systems. As a result, ≤100 kW platforms are expected to remain important during the early commercialization phase of orbital computing infrastructure.

Data processing unit segment to register the highest growth between 2026 and 2040

By payload, the data processing unit segment is expected to record the highest CAGR in the space-based data center market during the forecast period. The growing volume of data generated by Earth observation, communications, navigation, and scientific satellites is increasing the need to process information closer to the source. Operators are therefore moving toward more capable onboard processors that can support data filtering, compression, analytics, and workload management before transmitting information to Earth. Improvements in radiation-tolerant computing hardware, processor efficiency, and modular payload design are further supporting adoption, making data processing units an increasingly important part of future orbital computing platforms.

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North America is projected to be the second-largest market for space-based data center during the forecast period.

By region, North America is expected to hold the second-largest share of the space-based data center industry during the forecast period. Strong commercial space activity in the US, access to reusable launch services, and investment from cloud, semiconductor, and satellite technology companies are supporting growth. The region is also central to several firms developing orbital computing platforms, advanced processors, high-capacity spacecraft, and space networking technologies. There is a growing interest in resilient digital infrastructure, defense-related computing and commercial services in orbit, which is expected to support continued market expansion across North America.

The Major space-based data center companies players include Starcloud, Inc. (US), Axiom Space, Inc. (US), Kepler Communications Inc. (Canada), Cowboy Space Corporation (US), and SpaceX (US).

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Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports &Consulting

See More Latest Aerospace and Defence Reports:

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MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America’s Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report.

MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe.

Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines – TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the ‘GIVE Growth’ principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore™, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts.

MarketsandMarkets™ SalesPlay is an AI-driven Revenue Intelligence Co-Pilot designed to help revenue teams prioritize the right accounts, identify critical changes early, and surface opportunities ahead of demand, so pipeline builds naturally and deals close with greater consistency.

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NewPower Worldwide Expands Credit Facility to $750 Million to Support Global Growth and Customer Demand

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Latest expansion strengthens NewPower’s ability to invest in inventory, respond to market opportunities, and support customers worldwide.

NASHUA, N.H., Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NewPower Worldwide, one of the electronics industry’s fastest-growing distributors, today announced it has expanded its committed credit facility to $750 million, further enhancing its ability to invest in inventory, support customer growth, and capitalize on opportunities across the global supply chain.

The increase follows a period of exceptional growth for NewPower Worldwide. Since its founding in 2014, the company has rapidly expanded its global footprint, growing to 14 offices across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, with $5 billion in annual sales, and managing more than $1 billion in inventory worldwide. The expanded facility provides additional financial capacity to support continued growth and evolving customer requirements.

In today’s rapidly changing supply chain environment, financial strength and access to capital play a critical role in securing inventory and maintaining continuity of supply. The expanded facility enhances NewPower’s ability to purchase strategically, support large-scale customer requirements, and provide greater flexibility around inventory and delivery programs.

“Our customers rely on NewPower to solve supply chain challenges quickly and at scale,” said Carleton Dufoe, Chief Executive Officer of NewPower Worldwide. “Expanding our credit facility to $750 million gives us additional capacity to secure inventory, support larger strategic programs, and respond faster when opportunities arise across the market. It further strengthens our ability to deliver solutions that help customers succeed in any market environment.”

The expanded facility strengthens NewPower’s ability to support larger and more complex customer programs while increasing the volume and scale of transactions the company can execute globally. By increasing its purchasing capacity, NewPower is better positioned to secure strategic inventory, capitalize on market opportunities, and deliver supply solutions to customers with greater speed, flexibility, and scale.

“Our expanded partnership with NewPower reflects our confidence in the company as it executes on behalf of its clients,” said Jason Upham, Senior Vice President at Citizens. “Our banking team led an increased credit facility designed to support NewPower’s goals and growth objectives.”

The expanded facility reflects NewPower’s continued financial strength and enhances its ability to convert market opportunities into tangible supply solutions for customers worldwide. Combined with the company’s global sourcing network and supply chain expertise, the added capacity positions NewPower to execute larger programs, secure critical inventory, and help customers respond to changing market conditions with speed, flexibility, and confidence.

About NewPower Worldwide

NewPower Worldwide is a leading independent distributor of electronic components and finished goods, serving OEMs, EMS providers, and supply chain partners worldwide. Privately owned and headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, the company is recognized for its advanced sourcing technology, global reach, and commitment to solving complex supply chain challenges. For more information, visit NewPower Worldwide.

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ContractSafe Expands CLM Platform with Practical AI and Workflow Tools for Mid-Market Teams

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New review, tracking, editing, performance, and AI tools help small and midsize teams manage contracts without the cost or complexity of enterprise CLM.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ContractSafe, a leading contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform built for small and midsize teams, today announced the largest product expansion in the company’s history. Known for its easy-to-use contract repository, powerful search, and date tracking, ContractSafe now helps teams request, review, approve, edit, sign, search, and track contracts in one simple, affordable platform.

“We earned our reputation as the contract repository anyone could learn in an afternoon,” said Randy Bishop, CEO and co-founder of ContractSafe. “With this expansion, we’re giving small and midsize organizations advanced contract lifecycle management tools without the complexity, cost, or long implementation cycles that often come with enterprise CLM systems.”

The expansion includes seven major capabilities:

Ask AI answers plain-language questions like “What’s our termination notice period?” with responses sourced directly from the agreement.AI Contract Review Playbooks apply structured review rules automatically, flagging risks, missing clauses, and non-standard language in minutes instead of hours.Contract Lifecycle Tracking shows where every contract stands, how long it’s been there and where things are getting stuck.Flexible Approval Workflows route contracts to the right approvers in the right order, with automatic reminders until sign-off is complete.In-App Editing and Microsoft Word Integration let teams redline contracts inside ContractSafe or in Word, with comments and versions kept organized.Expanded AI Field Extraction pulls 29 fields automatically, spanning compliance obligations, payment terms, governing law, and contract value.Performance enhancements make search and key contract pages up to 75% faster, according to internal benchmarks.

Practical AI, With People in Control

While much of the CLM market races toward fully autonomous AI agents, ContractSafe built its AI on a simple principle: AI suggests, the human decides.

“There’s a lot of noise right now about AI agents running contracts on autopilot,” said Ken Button, co-founder of ContractSafe. “The teams we serve, like solo general counsel and lean procurement teams, want AI that answers questions instantly, flags risky clauses, surfaces renewals before they become problems, and then lets them make the call. That’s the AI we built.”

Plans start at $450 per month with unlimited users on every plan, and teams can turn on templates, approvals, and AI review as their contract process matures.

About ContractSafe

ContractSafe is a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform built for small and midsize organizations. Refreshingly simple and surprisingly affordable, it helps legal, finance, procurement, and operations teams manage the full contract lifecycle, from intake through renewal, with practical AI built in. ContractSafe was founded in 2015 and is backed by Five Elms Capital. Learn more at https://www.contractsafe.com.

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