Open Access

Joerg BueechlORCiD, Tim Straub, Yanwen Xue, Sebastian BunnenbergORCiD

• This study examines how freely accessible generative AI tools can assist solopreneurs, especially in the initial business formation phase as well as for marketing operations. The research combines both qualitative and quantitative methods through a pilot research and survey study. The research uses multiple methods to gather complete insights about AI tool implementation. Our study focuses on Chinese residents in Germany who are solopreneurs or plan to become solopreneurs to understand their views on generative AI tools and their expected advantages from these tools with ChatGPT as the main example. The study demonstrates through statistical analysis and findings from both survey and pilot phases that ChatGPT shows strong potential to serve as an affordable efficient solution for multiple early-stage entrepreneurial requirements identified by participants. The research demonstrates that generative AI technology offers significant support to new business owners during their initial business formation period.