Empowering small businesses for a digital future

Small businesses are key to inclusive growth. Yet many are struggling to adapt to rapid digital transformation, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Strive Community is equipping ten million small businesses with innovative digital solutions to enable them to build resilience and grow.

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A slide with a title and copy, but no buttons

Small businesses are key to inclusive growth. Yet many are struggling to adapt to rapid digital transformation, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Strive Community is equipping ten million small businesses with innovative digital solutions to enable them to build resilience and grow.

A slide with a title and buttons, but no copy

A slide with a title, copy, and lots of buttons

Small businesses are key to inclusive growth. Yet many are struggling to adapt to rapid digital transformation, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Strive Community is equipping ten million small businesses with innovative digital solutions to enable them to build resilience and grow.
Boost Technology, Project IKE: Empowering retailers with insights to increase their resilience

Boost Technology, Project IKE: Empowering retailers with insights to increase their resilience

Data analysis, behavioral science and conversational commerce provide retailers with insights about their business to drive improved outcomes

Nigeria

Boost Capital: Financial education data de-risks and expands small business credit

Boost Capital: Financial education data de-risks and expands small business credit

Testing the viability of a virtuous circle in which businesses performing well in financial training are rewarded with lower-cost loans

Cambodia

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Programs

Test Program 2024

Featured Program

Test Program 2024

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Strive Indonesia: Empowering 300,000 small businesses to succeed in the digital economy

Strive Indonesia: Empowering 300,000 small businesses to succeed in the digital economy

Driving the digitalization of Indonesian small businesses and offering bespoke support, especially to women entrepreneurs.

Indonesia

Strive USA: Supporting small business growth and resilience

Strive USA: Supporting small business growth and resilience

Strive USA will connect small businesses to the support they need to thrive.

USA

Strive Mexico: Roads to resilience for MSEs

Strive Mexico: Roads to resilience for MSEs

Supporting 400,000 small businesses and women micro-entrepreneurs by strengthening the country’s entrepreneurship support ecosystem.

Mexico

Strive Czechia: supporting 250,000 small businesses to succeed in the digital economy

Strive Czechia: supporting 250,000 small businesses to succeed in the digital economy

Bolstering the resilience and growth of Czech small businesses through digitalization, peer mentoring, and financial services.

Czech Republic

Supporting the digitization of micro-enterprises in Brazil’s favelas

Supporting the digitization of micro-enterprises in Brazil’s favelas

Training, gamification, and mentoring promote the adoption of digital tools and facilitate access to credit for favela based businesses.

Brazil

Strive UK: Empowering 650,000 British entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital economy

Strive UK: Empowering 650,000 British entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital economy

Connecting micro- and small business owners with the training, technology, and tools to build resilience and thrive.

United Kingdom

XRGlobal: Testing multi-user virtual reality for small business owner upskilling

XRGlobal: Testing multi-user virtual reality for small business owner upskilling

Virtual Reality technology upskills small business owners by bringing them into immersive experiences alongside peer learners

Brazil

FUNDES: Connecting artisans and craft merchants to the most appropriate digitization tools

FUNDES: Connecting artisans and craft merchants to the most appropriate digitization tools

Building the first online community where artisans and craft merchants can interact and learn from their peers and adopt essential digital solutions

Mexico

Boost Technology, Project IKE: Empowering retailers with insights to increase their resilience

Boost Technology, Project IKE: Empowering retailers with insights to increase their resilience

Data analysis, behavioral science and conversational commerce provide retailers with insights about their business to drive improved outcomes

Nigeria

Open Contracting Partnership: Government contracts made accessible for small businesses

Open Contracting Partnership: Government contracts made accessible for small businesses

Using open data to seamlessly connect small businesses awarded government contracts with financial institutions who can offer them credit

Colombia

Boost Capital: Financial education data de-risks and expands small business credit

Boost Capital: Financial education data de-risks and expands small business credit

Testing the viability of a virtuous circle in which businesses performing well in financial training are rewarded with lower-cost loans

Cambodia

Flourish Fi: Data-driven nudges for improved money management

Flourish Fi: Data-driven nudges for improved money management

Behavioral science and AI-driven incentives and nudges help build healthy financial management habits

Brazil

ChatGenie: Making social commerce work better for small businesses

ChatGenie: Making social commerce work better for small businesses

New features reduce friction for businesses selling on social media, and enable management of multiple channels within a single app

Philippines

Novek: IOT-enabled vending machines maximize sales for retailers

Novek: IOT-enabled vending machines maximize sales for retailers

Tech-enabled vending machines dispensing household staples increase sales, reduce stock outs, and eliminate single-use plastic

Kenya

TechnoServe: E-commerce toolkit teaches business owners new ways to grow their online businesses

TechnoServe: E-commerce toolkit teaches business owners new ways to grow their online businesses

Business owners learn how to grow their online customer base, increase online sales and profits, and boost customer satisfaction

Global

MESH: The first online community for entrepreneurs in the informal economy

MESH: The first online community for entrepreneurs in the informal economy

Micro retailers are connected to new market opportunities and a thriving community of peers and mentors for guidance and encouragement

Kenya

Arifu: WhatsApp chatbot provides tips for micro-retailers

Arifu: WhatsApp chatbot provides tips for micro-retailers

A personalized, interactive WhatsApp chatbot provides micro-retailers with practical guidance on how to digitize operations and access credit

Kenya, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Uganda

‘Small Business, Big Dreams’ upskilling program in partnership with Grab

‘Small Business, Big Dreams’ upskilling program in partnership with Grab

Videos and live webinars equip business owners to improve their businesses or start new ones

Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam

Michael Miebach

CEO, Mastercard

"When small businesses thrive our local communities and economies thrive, but when they struggle, the impact is widespread. What small business owners need right now is partners who listen to them and develop innovative solutions that help them grow in the wake of the pandemic. That’s what makes programs like Strive so critical today and tomorrow."
Michael Miebach

From the Blog

A closer look at the digitalization of European businesses in the wake of COVID-19

Featured Article

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.

Funding creativity, fueling small business growth: Bridging the capital gap in the creative economy

Funding creativity, fueling small business growth: Bridging the capital gap in the creative economy

The creative economy is one of the worlds fastest growing sectors, representing $2 trillion in economic activity globally and potentially comprising 10% of GDP by 2030.
Exploring the role of credit in social commerce for women micro-retailers

Exploring the role of credit in social commerce for women micro-retailers

This post is by Ady Beitler, co-founder and CEO of Nilus, an impact-driven company dedicated to alleviating food insecurity in Latin America.
Deepening small business access to finance: the power of partnerships

Deepening small business access to finance: the power of partnerships

When Paul McCartney penned With a Little Help from My Friends for the Beatles 1967 album, Sgt.
Digitizing small hotels: The impact of Mastercard Strive and Connectycs in Spain

Digitizing small hotels: The impact of Mastercard Strive and Connectycs in Spain

This post was written by Javier Soriano, the Connectycs CEO, a technology provider for the hotel industry in Spain.
Building digital skills and enhancing access to finance for women-led small businesses

Building digital skills and enhancing access to finance for women-led small businesses

Marileidy Suero Bueno owns A Bocados Sushi RD, a food truck serving a variety of maki rolls in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Building AI solutions for women micro-retailers: The missing ingredient for supporting their…

Building AI solutions for women micro-retailers: The missing ingredient for supporting their…

Building AI solutions for women micro-retailers: The missing ingredient for supporting their digital transformation and financial inclusion This post was written by Caylee Talpert, Chief Business Officer at &frnds, a platform using AI and data analytics to strengthen value chains in emerging markets.
Improving small business outcomes through mental health: A profile on Our Village United’s holistic…

Improving small business outcomes through mental health: A profile on Our Village United’s holistic…

Improving small business outcomes through mental health: A profile on Our Village Uniteds holistic model Dr.
Putting digital enterprise transformation in the hands of Polish women: New insights from the GO…

Putting digital enterprise transformation in the hands of Polish women: New insights from the GO…

Putting digital enterprise transformation in the hands of Polish women: New insights from the GO DIGITAL project This blog post is by Renata Żukowska and Emilia Bartosiewicz-Brożyna from Fundacja LBC Business Women Foundation (LBC).
Empowering Vietnamese small businesses through AI-enhanced procurement

Empowering Vietnamese small businesses through AI-enhanced procurement

This post is by SoBanHang, a Mastercard Strive partner offering a one-stop business operating system that enables Vietnamese merchants to access market intelligence data and manage end-to-end cross-border procurement effortlessly.
Integrating artificial intelligence into small business digital onboarding: Wins and challenges

Integrating artificial intelligence into small business digital onboarding: Wins and challenges

This post is by Lucinda Revell, co-founder of Boost Capital, an organization that enables financial service providers to serve customers via popular chat platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and WhatsApp, without downloading another app.
Leveraging data-driven public procurement for small business inclusion

Leveraging data-driven public procurement for small business inclusion

This post is written by Lindsey Marchessault from the Open Contracting Partnership, an independent non-profit working to improve public procurement in more than 50 countries.
From theory to practice to scale: Mastercard Strive USA’s impact on small businesses in year 2

From theory to practice to scale: Mastercard Strive USA’s impact on small businesses in year 2

Mastercard Strive USA significantly grew its portfolio, impact, and voice in Year 2 and set the stage for strengthening small business ecosystems further in Year 3.
Embracing an abundance mindset in Kansas: How new collaborations are creating a stronger small…

Embracing an abundance mindset in Kansas: How new collaborations are creating a stronger small…

Embracing an abundance mindset in Kansas: How new collaborations are creating a stronger small business ecosystem There are many effective programs and leaders in Kansas that support small businesses.
New insights, real impacts: Introducing the 2024 update of the Mastercard Strive Small Business…

New insights, real impacts: Introducing the 2024 update of the Mastercard Strive Small Business…

New insights, real impacts: Introducing the 2024 update of the Mastercard Strive Small Business Evidence Map By Hana Hanfi, Marius Karabaczek, and Elise Montano from the Measurement & Impact team at Caribou Digital.
What Mastercard Strive is learning about digital solutions to improve access to finance for small…

What Mastercard Strive is learning about digital solutions to improve access to finance for small…

What Mastercard Strive is learning about digital solutions to improve access to finance for small businesses worldwide Barbra Safar, an entrepreneur from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, has skillfully navigated the challenges of running two businesses.
Cybersecurity for small businesses: Understanding the costs, barriers, and opportunities

Cybersecurity for small businesses: Understanding the costs, barriers, and opportunities

Cyberattacks continue to be ranked one of the top five risks to economies and societies, potentially leading to a material crisis worldwide.
Using behavioral science and gamification to drive positive financial behaviors with small…

Using behavioral science and gamification to drive positive financial behaviors with small…

Using behavioral science and gamification to drive positive financial behaviors with small businesses: Learnings from Flourish Fi The following is a guest post written by Flourish Fi, an organization whose mission is to empower all people to build positive money habits and achieve financial security.
Bridging the digital divide for women-led small businesses: Gaps and opportunities in Ecuador

Bridging the digital divide for women-led small businesses: Gaps and opportunities in Ecuador

Digitalization has become a critical component for the growth and sustainability of small businesses worldwide.
Challenging assumptions: How a distinct operations model sets CDFIs apart in a vast financial…

Challenging assumptions: How a distinct operations model sets CDFIs apart in a vast financial…

Challenging assumptions: How a distinct operations model sets CDFIs apart in a vast financial ecosystem By Victoria Brown Veteran coffee roaster Yan Yanez gained a fast following when he and his business partner, Leo Nunez, opened Flor and Seed Coffee Roasters in late 2020 by popping-up at a busy farmers market in San Diegos Little Italy.
Breaking the debt barrier: New research explores external financing in Czech entrepreneurship

Breaking the debt barrier: New research explores external financing in Czech entrepreneurship

This post is written by Eva Lacinová, the Social Impact Manager at the Center for Inclusive Growth.
Getting impact capital off the sidelines: how CNote aligns investor interests with community…

Getting impact capital off the sidelines: how CNote aligns investor interests with community…

Getting impact capital off the sidelines: how CNote aligns investor interests with community financial institutions and vice versa A two-year Mastercard Strive USA grant has paved the way for investment platform CNote to strengthen their organizational capacity, enabling them to scale operations, enhance their technology, and better serve the communities and institutions at the heart of their mission.
Why helping small businesses succeed should be a philanthropic priority

Why helping small businesses succeed should be a philanthropic priority

To create an equitable economy, grantmakers should address the financial and training hurdles that cause so many entrepreneurs to fail.
The unique partnership at the center of California’s new loan match program

The unique partnership at the center of California’s new loan match program

A unique and first-time partnership between two mission-driven organizations, Next Street and Community Reinvestment Fund USA, is behind a new small business lending program in California that aims to connect small businesses with historic federal funding designed to help them grow and strengthen their financial resilience.
How local government can help more small businesses succeed: A fireside chat between St.

How local government can help more small businesses succeed: A fireside chat between St.

How local government can help more small businesses succeed: A fireside chat between St.

Insights

Consumer protection

Consumer protection

Adopting digital financial services by small businesses can increase their access to finance and strengthen their financial inclusion. However, a lack of trust arising from consumer protection risks can limit the adoption process.

Financial services for women-owned small businesses

Financial services for women-owned small businesses

Globally, one in three businesses are owned by women, who often encounter obstacles in financing, owning, and growing a business. Digital financial services can have positive business and household impacts on women.

Embedded finance

Embedded finance

Embedded finance allows small businesses to access financial services through digital interfaces with which they already interact, with the potential to offer faster access to timely and tailored products.

Measurement in a digital age

Measurement in a digital age

The pandemic challenged traditional approaches to monitoring, evaluation and learning systems for business support programs, presenting new opportunities for optimization, learning, and impact measurement.

Digitizing payments

Digitizing payments

Digitizing payments not only offers small businesses many benefits and efficiencies, it also provides positive spillover effects for their customers and suppliers, and strengthens financial inclusion efforts.

Digital insurance

Digital insurance

Small businesses are often more vulnerable to risks and shocks compared to larger enterprises. Insurance can be critical to small businesses better absorbing financial shocks, building assets, and managing risks.

Access to finance

Access to finance

Access to finance is critical to small businesses’ development and growth, but few solutions account for their nuanced and diverse needs, resulting in a huge small business financing gap globally.

Enabling small businesses to grow by outsourcing

Enabling small businesses to grow by outsourcing

For small businesses who want to grow, hiring new staff is not the only option—they could also consider outsourcing. Outsourcing enables small businesses to strengthen and execute their operations and improve efficiency.

Digital peer networks to support small businesses

Digital peer networks to support small businesses

Peers can support fellow small business owners by sharing business practices, facilitating new connections, and offering tailored advice. 80% of small businesses believe interacting with peers improves their business outcomes.

Digital mentoring for small businesses

Digital mentoring for small businesses

Mentoring offers relationship-based guidance from experienced business owners for small businesses to develop new skills and networks to support growth. Digital channels have increased the availability and convenience of mentoring.

Delivering digital training to small businesses

Delivering digital training to small businesses

Training that is delivered to small businesses through digital channels is increasingly promising. It can integrate techniques that increase knowledge retention and user engagement, leading to positive impacts for small business capacity building.

Designing digital training for small businesses

Designing digital training for small businesses

Training programs that are delivered digitally show promise for small business owners with limited time to access key information when they need it. Digital training is convenient, cost-effective, and engaging, so long as it is designed well.

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