Balance and Alibaba.com Join Forces to Offer Flexible B2B Payments to U.S. SMEs

Alibaba.com’s business customers in the United States can now take advantage of new payment flexibility through a partnership with Balance, the AI-powered B2B payments platform. With the launch of Pay Later for Business, U.S. buyers on Alibaba.com can access instant credit right at checkout, making it easier to finance purchases and manage cash flow.

The embedded financing solution is underpinned by Balance’s AI-driven credit risk technology, which delivers real-time underwriting and higher approval rates, especially important for small and medium-sized businesses that have historically struggled to secure financing through traditional channels.

“Flexible B2B payments are essential for business customers who want to grow,” said Yiran Li, Head of Customer Retention Strategy at Alibaba.com U.S. “By embedding Balance directly into our checkout, we’re making it easy for customers to buy on their terms, without being limited by cash flow constraints.”

“In tight economic conditions, and especially with the added strain of tariffs, access to financing can make the difference between surviving and thriving," said Bar Geron, CEO and Co-founder of Balance. "We’re proud to partner with Alibaba.com and power a solution that helps its U.S. users grow their businesses with confidence.”

The launch follows Balance’s recent collaboration with Instacart Business, where its technology enables embedded invoicing and net terms for B2B transactions. By integrating B2B buy-now-pay-later options and automated invoicing tools directly into checkout flows, Balance helps merchants improve conversions, grow average order value, and build customer loyalty, without taking on credit risk or additional operational burdens.

With Pay Later for Business, eligible U.S. buyers can defer payment for up to 90 days after shipment, easing cash flow constraints without leaving the Alibaba.com platform. A fast, one-time application delivers instant credit decisions and a revolving credit line that grows automatically with each successful repayment.

Balance’s AI-powered infrastructure handles credit approval, payment collection, and reconciliation behind the scenes. By using real-time transaction and bank data, Balance delivers faster approvals and higher credit limits than traditional lenders, giving small businesses a simpler, more accessible way to finance their growth.