Transforming Compliance into a Growth Driver: Insights from Sprinto's Latest Report

In a recent announcement made on January 22, 2026, Sprinto, a pioneering AI-native GRC (Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance) and compliance automation platform, unveiled its latest research report titled “The Business ROI of Compliance 2026.” The study reveals how compliance is no longer just a regulatory necessity but is evolving into a critical lever for growth within modern small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

The report draws on valuable insights from key industry leaders, including founders, CEOs, CTOs, and CISOs, highlighting a significant transformation in the perception of compliance. Traditionally regarded as a mere hurdle to market access, compliance is increasingly recognized as a facilitator that opens new avenues for expansion and sales opportunities. As market dynamics evolve, certifications such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are no longer optional but have become essential prerequisites for engaging enterprise-level customers.

One of the standout findings of the research is that organizations actively investing in compliance early on are better equipped to enter new markets and reduce friction during complex sales cycles. According to Sprinto’s co-founder and CEO, Girish Redekar, companies that prioritize compliance can navigate RFP-driven sales processes more adeptly and maintain steady momentum as they grow. This marks a shift in compliance’s role—from a gatekeeping function to a strategic component that allows for repeatable success and operational efficiency.

Despite the evident advantages, the report points out a persistent misconception within many organizations that compliance remains a defensive mechanism. There is often a gap between the internal perception of compliance and its actual contribution towards fostering trust and credibility in business dealings. As modern consumers and partners prioritize transparency and stability, compliance emerges as a key indicator of a company’s maturity and operational capability—important signals that increase confidence among clients, stakeholders, and investors.

The insights presented in this report underscore a pivotal shift in thinking, especially among early-stage businesses that typically lack the capacity to focus on compliance initiatives amidst other pressing priorities like product development and customer acquisition. However, awareness is growing. As organizations recognize that compliance can significantly enhance trust and operational readiness, they are positioned to unlock deals, boost sales velocity, and broaden their total addressable markets (TAM) efficiently.

Girish Redekar emphasizes that this shift is poised for rapid acceleration, predicting that by the end of 2026, an increasing number of companies will acknowledge compliance as a foundational component of their growth strategy.

To help organizations navigate this landscape more effectively, Sprinto offers its advanced GRC and compliance automation platform, which empowers users to manage compliance requirements, audits, risk assessments, vendor oversight, and ongoing monitoring—all from a unified system. With a strong global presence, having aided more than 3,000 organizations in over 75 countries, Sprinto supports compliance with more than 200 international standards, including essential frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.

Sprinto’s comprehensive platform utilizes over 300 integrations and AI-driven automation to streamline compliance processes, making it an invaluable ally for organizations aiming to refine their compliance strategies as part of their growth framework.

In conclusion, the insights detailed in “The Business ROI of Compliance 2026” by Sprinto paint a clear picture: compliance is not just a regulatory obligation but a pivotal component for sustainable business growth. As organizations learn to embrace compliance as a driver rather than an obstacle, they position themselves to thrive in an increasingly competitive market landscape.