Digitization of operations and processes and technology adoption by small and medium scale enterprise in the less developed and emerging economies (LDEE) has been slow or non-existent. Technology needs to guide new business creation, sustain competitive advantage, and survive in the post-COVID-19 pandemic and the interconnected global economy. Entrepreneurs need an awakening to the current transformation as the digital era is now, to create business ventures that can compete in the fourth industrial revolution engineered by advanced technologies. This paper doubles as a research note and a call for papers for a special issue to address these urgent needs in the face of current realities