From what you've shared, this is a business-to-business matter, not consumer law. If you sue in the wrong venue they could do anything from moving to dismiss, or ignoring you but objecting to any attempt to register or enforce the judgment in another state based upon lack of jurisdiction and improper venue.
You cannot complete a lawsuit in any state without presenting witnesses and evidence at trial. You can file and hope for a default, having verified that you don't need to appear to prove your damages. In small claims court you normally have to appear and wait until the end of the session of court before a default will issue. Check procedure with the court in which you hope to file.

