Mastercard Strive EU
Surfacing new innovations and amplifying small business voices in the EU
Our Focus
The Strive EU program, implemented by Caribou Digital, in partnership with the European Microfinance Network, will seek to boost the resilience and growth of European small businesses by surfacing new innovations that help them get capital, go digital and gain networks and know-how. The program consists of an Innovation Fund and support to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Our Approach
Empowering small businesses to overcome three common roadblocks:
Get capital
The Strive EU program, funded by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and implemented by Caribou Digital, in partnership with the European Microfinance Network, is designed to provide small businesses with the support they need to achieve sustainable growth and financial resilience.
Go digital
We connect small businesses with mission-driven tech partners and essential digital tools that eliminate bottlenecks and enable access to lending and investment.
Grow networks and know-how
Through local and national partnerships, we connect small businesses with expert organizations to develop new skills and grow their capabilities.
Our Goal
Support small businesses to navigate Europe’s twin transitions to a more digital and sustainable economy
By the Numbers
Our Partners
Articles & Insights
How a Digital Marketplace Is Disrupting Small Business Lending
Many small business owners lack access to financing, leaving them vulnerable to predatory lenders. A digital platform supported by Mastercard is making it easier for them to secure CDFI funding instead.
Striving to Thrive: The state of Czech Micro and Small Enterprises, 2022
Throughout the Czech economy, digitalization is a trend that is here to stay. However, the benefits of digitalization have not been equally realized.
Mastercard launches Strive UK to support the nation’s micro and small businesses to adapt and thrive in the digital economy
Mastercard launches Strive UK to empower British micro and small enterprises to thrive in the digital economy over the next three years
Payal Dalal
Executive Vice President, Global Markets, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
"Digital advances have the potential to serve as a bridge to ensure that everyone, particularly small businesses that power our economies, has the tools to grow and build their businesses and remain resilient. We look forward to taking our learnings from our Strive programmes so far and extending our reach and scale across Europe."
News & Updates
Grants available to improve access to credit for European small businesses
Today, Mastercard launched its latest Strive Innovation Fund.
A closer look at the digitalization of European businesses in the wake of COVID-19
Firms that adopted digital technologies fared better during the pandemic but there were disparities in adoption with regard to firm size Financial support to digitalize played an important role, and more is needed The EU needs to focus on reducing the widening digital divide Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of digital technologies was usually associated with more innovative businesses.
Inflation sets a new frontier for digital financial services
The war in Ukraine has triggered worldwide inflation and, unsurprisingly, small businesses have been hit especially hard.
