Mastercard Strive

CARE's new research reveals that 96% of women business owners feel confident in their abilities to lead and grow their businesses, with 87% aiming to expand! Find out more?? #DigitalInclusion #SmallBusiness #StriveCommunity

The digitalization, growth, and resilience of European micro- and small businesses have never been more vital. That’s why the Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund set out to support 10 innovative solutions tailored to their unique needs. After reviewing nearly 500 applications from startups and organizations across the EU, we uncovered key insights into the challenges small businesses face and the solutions being developed to address them. ??Dive into the highlights of the Innovation Fund, meet the 10 selected winners, read our 2024 annual report, and gain valuable insights driving the digital and sustainable transformation of small businesses across Europe. ?? Read more and get involved today: https://lnkd.in/dXg-6Uac The Mastercard Strive EU program is supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and delivered in partnership with Caribou Digital #SmallBusiness #InnovationFund #DigitalTransformation #InclusiveGrowth

In Ecuador, women-led small businesses play a vital role in the economy but? face unique challenges in adopting digital tools. A new?study, commissioned via our partner, IMPAQTO, dives deep into the barriers these enterprises encounter, from limited digital skills to economic constraints. These insights are guiding tailored solutions to? bridge the digital gap and drive growth for small businesses. Read more to discover how our VIQTORIA program in Ecuador is shaping the future of digitalization for women entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/dD--jAn3 #DigitalTransformation #WomenInBusiness #InclusiveGrowth #DigitalEconomy

This week, I had the privilege of virtually attending the kickoff of the #RuralFinancialObservatory— a data repository that provides financial insights across every municipality in Colombia. But the true game-changer lies in the potential to turn this data into actionable solutions. During the platform demo, one striking insight stood out: there’s nearly a 4-point difference in interest rates between women and men in the rural sector accessing productive credit to grow their businesses. The impact? That gender gap equates to the annual minimum salary for 2,000 Colombians. Insights like these are essential for transforming conversations into meaningful actions. Congratulations to Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, in partnership with @boportunidadesco and @USAID_Colombia, on this incredible milestone. Proud that the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth is collaborating with committed partners to advance inclusive finance and drive systemic change. DataKind, Mallory Sheff, MPH, Mastercard Strive, Luz Magdalena Salas, Cristina Wittmer, Federico Martinez, Marcela Carrasco, Felipe Acevedo, Robin Young, Juan Pablo García

Challenging assumptions about #CDFIs is essential to fully understand their unique role in the financial ecosystem in the United States. Take the journey of Flor & Seed Coffee Roasters in San Diego, California for instance. When traditional lenders turned them away, Accessity, a Mastercard Strive USA grantee and #CDFI, stepped in. Accessity’s support allowed Flor & Seed to open a permanent café, bringing ethically sourced Mexican coffee to their community and building a vibrant space for local culture. CDFIs are more than lenders — they’re catalysts for growth, offering capital where others see only risk. Read more about what makes CDFIs different and why it matters: https://bit.ly/3V0K17b #InclusiveGrowth #FinancialInclusion #SmallBusiness?

In the heart of #Atlanta, a new chapter is unfolding for businesses owned by people of color, thanks to Ascend Cities and their first-in-the-nation initiative designed to break through the $10 million small business revenue ceiling. By bridging the gap between pre-middle-market firms and larger corporations, Ascend is redefining what’s possible for diverse entrepreneurs across the nation. ? At Mastercard Strive USA, we’re proud to support Ascend’s efforts to establish the first-ever Market Access Council, connecting middle-market firms with high-potential, diverse businesses ready to scale. This innovative approach not only creates new opportunities for growth but also challenges the systemic barriers that have long held back businesses owned by people of color. ? The impact of Ascend's work in Atlanta, Georgia will resonate across the country, as their success and insights will be shared and replicated through the 13-city Ascend network. They’re not just opening doors but creating a pathway for diverse businesses to thrive and lead the future of the U.S. economy. ? Learn more about Ascend here: https://bit.ly/3Z2lAc6 ? #MastercardStrive #InclusiveGrowth #FinancialInclusion #SmallBusiness? UW Consulting and Business Development Center Morehouse Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center

Access to capital is one of the key challenges for small businesses in the EU, as many rely on loans to sustain or grow their businesses. Despite generating valuable data daily, many lack the skills to extract insights that could help inform their decisions and support their credit needs. That’s where our partner and Mastercard Strive Innovation Fund winner from Luxembourg, Valerian, comes in to support small businesses across Europe. Small businesses can connect their financial and operational data to Valerian's web app in just a few minutes to get the capital they need, along with data-driven insights to make informed decisions. With a flexible and fully automated revenue-sharing repayment model, small businesses can then pay more when they grow and less when they don’t! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/enY4E8ik #smallbusiness #digitalization #financialinclusion Eric Bidinger

Our partner and Innovation Fund winner Alner is making tremendous progress in reducing plastic waste across Southeast Asia! ?? Through our collaboration, Alner has developed reuse and refill systems that have already prevented over 1 million pieces of single-use plastic waste in Indonesia. Recently, Alner’s cofounder, Bintang Ekananda, shared their story and impact in a session with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The session covered strategies for scaling reuse programs and offered actionable insights on how small businesses, communities, and governments can support sustainable packaging solutions for everyday consumer goods across the region. Transitioning to a circular economy is possible if small businesses are engaged. Learn more about their model and approach by watching their recorded session here: https://lnkd.in/g-JPRdvK #SmallBusinessGrowth #Sustainability #CircularEconomy

At Mastercard Strive USA, we have a vision of expanding access to financial resources through community development financial institutions (#CDFIs) and supporting underserved small businesses. This is financial inclusion at work. Last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released its inaugural National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, a milestone that underscores the potential that financial inclusion holds for individuals, families, and #smallbusinesses in the U.S. We know that the public sector is a powerful driver, and that lasting change can come from collaborative efforts across public, private, and philanthropic sectors. That’s why we're working alongside others to make these goals a reality. ?? #InclusiveGrowth Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

In Sweden, our new Mastercard Strive EU partner and Innovation Fund winner, Ragna - AI Sustainability Advisor for small businesses, is leveraging AI to support European small businesses in navigating environmental sustainability requirements and evolving consumer expectations. Through its user-friendly interface, Ragna enables small businesses to manage their sustainability efforts, report progress, benchmark against industry standards, and stay compliant with regulations—all while providing strategic guidance for sustainability and growth. With the support of Mastercard Strive, Ragna aims to scale its reach, making sustainability compliance support more accessible to micro and small businesses across Europe. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dA4jRhgg Carina Johed Charlotte Sund?ker Planethon - Thrive within planetary boundaries #SmallBusiness #AI #Sustainability #InnovationFund