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BGeneralAlso B2BUpdated 2 Nov 2026

Business-to-business (B2B)

Commercial transactions between businesses rather than businesses and consumers.

Definition

Business-to-business (B2B) is the commercial transactions between businesses rather than businesses and consumers. Founders reach for it when a vague conversation needs a shared, specific meaning. Name it clearly, then let the next decision — a hire, a price, a test, or a pass — follow from that meaning.

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In the room

How the word shows up in a real conversation.

Two cofounders disagree until they define Business-to-business (B2B). Once they agree it means “Commercial transactions between businesses rather than businesses and consumers”, the argument becomes a decision.

Common mistake

Using Business-to-business (B2B) as a label instead of a fact. If you cannot point to the evidence — a number, a customer, or a written assumption — you are using the word as jargon.

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