Frequently asked questions

Mastercard Strive is a global social impact initiative that supports small businesses around the world. Developed by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, it comprises a portfolio of programs that support small businesses globally to thrive in the digital economy.

Easy to access and spanning global markets, Mastercard Strive connects small businesses with the three things they need to grow and thrive: access to digital tools and resources, capital and networks.

As Mastercard powers commerce and empowers people, Mastercard Strive strengthens the small business ecosystem and supports the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

Mastercard Strive was set up to support small businesses globally to thrive in the digital economy. Mastercard Strive – and the wider work of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth – sits at the heart of Mastercard’s commitment to connect and protect 500 million people and small businesses on the path to financial health by 2030.

The first phase of Mastercard Strive focused on evidencing how digital tools, capital, and capacity-building can support small businesses to grow and thrive.

The second phase of the program will offer more integrated and tailored support to small businesses, which we know is particularly important as the world becomes increasingly digitalized and the use of new technologies continues to grow.

In this digital economy, small businesses need support to not only increase their use of digital tools but to protect themselves against the risks that can come with a digital world – such as cyber threats. Doing so is key to helping drive long term sustainable growth.

Mastercard Strive achieves its objectives by supporting projects across the globe, working with expert local partners in each market that deliver the programs on the ground.

Through these partnerships, Mastercard Strive provides small businesses with access to the three key areas critical to helping them save time, make money and build financial resilience. These are: access to digital tools and resources, capital and networks.

Mastercard Strive works with many partners around the world. These organizations help deliver the program’s objectives of providing small businesses globally with digital tools; unlocking access to capital to support sustainable growth; and helping them to build networks, skills and confidence.

These local organizations include community leaders, banks, technology partners, merchants, fintechs, digital platforms, research entities and governments – all of which have their own networks of small businesses, understand their challenges well, and are well positioned to distribute solutions seamlessly.

For a full list of partners, follow this link: https://www.mastercardcenter.org/focus-areas/small-business

Mastercard Strive works with small businesses around the world that have a range of ambitions and potential for resilient growth, ranging from solo entrepreneurs to more established small businesses with multiple employees.

Many of the small businesses that the Mastercard Strive program helps are stuck in the “missing middle” – businesses that are that are too large for microfinance yet too small for traditional corporate banking solutions.

Small businesses are vital engines of economic growth and create employment opportunities across broad sectors and geographic areas. Despite this, they are often overlooked by support programs and struggle to access the critical funding, tools, services they need. To drive growth that is truly inclusive, sustainable, and self-reinforcing, economies around the world need small businesses to prosper.

Mastercard Strive offers small businesses three key things to enable them to thrive in a modern economy: access to digital tools and resources, capital and networks.

Mastercard Strive supports the development of digital tools that are used by small businesses to automate processes and access support they wouldn’t previously have been able to – from better visibility into cash flow to automating accounting tasks.

The program also makes it easier for lenders to offer solutions to small businesses through alternative credit assessment tools and data; distribution models that maximize reach to drive digital finance; and by unlocking additional investment for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).

To make the most of the digital tools and financial services that Mastercard Strive makes accessible, the program offers virtual and in person support including mentoring, peer-to-peer networking and capacity building sessions.

Simply having access to digital tools and financial products isn’t enough – small businesses need the skills and confidence to be able to use them to drive sustainable growth. Our work so far has shown the need for human touch points to support adoption of new solutions.

Mastercard Strive is supporting projects across the globe. The program currently spans 35 countries, which are listed here.

No, Mastercard Strive does not fund small businesses directly. The program gives grants to partners to support the development of digital solutions, and works with partners and unlock capital for small businesses. The program bolsters the small business ecosystem so that many small businesses can benefit.

We support innovative digital solutions that help small businesses save time and make more money.

Examples of digital solutions that Mastercard Strive has supported to date are an AI powered web app that enables businesses to connect their data, identify opportunities, notice blind spots and gain access to capital; and a WhatsApp-hosted chatbot that provides small business owners with instant, tailored business guidance.

Mastercard Strive is built on the recognition that digital transformation has enabled new ways of supporting small businesses. Our digital- and data-first approach reflects the broader shift in what is possible, and an immediate shift in what is necessary, to promote the resilience and growth of small businesses.

Since 2020, 30 million businesses have connected with Mastercard Strive and accessed resources to find new opportunities for growth and build confidence. Additionally, over the past six years, Mastercard Strive and the Center for Inclusive Growth have unlocked billions of dollars in affordable capital around the world.

The primary goal of Mastercard Strive is to match small businesses with what they need to save time, make money and build their financial resilience. Following more than a decade of learning from and working with small businesses, and with more than $128 million invested in small business programs to date, we know small businesses need access to digital tools and resources, capital and networks.

Through tailored support in these areas, the program will continue to support small businesses around the world. The program – and the wider work of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth – sit at the heart of Mastercard’s commitment to connect and protect 500 million people and small businesses on the path to financial health by 2030.

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth worldwide by funding research and scalable programmes. In addition, the Center convenes leaders working on inclusive growth multiple times a year through its Inclusive Growth Summits and Forums around the world.

Strengthening the small business ecosystem is part of Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth’s wider goal to create a more prosperous future for everyone through bolstering financial health of individuals, driving small business growth, and leveraging data and tech for good.

For years, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth has leveraged Mastercard’s resources, assets and networks to build the resilience of small businesses through partnerships with civil society, governments, banks, technology partners, merchants and local platforms.