Mastercard Strive | EU
Surfacing new innovations and amplifying small business voices in the EU
Highlights from the Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund
Our Focus
The Mastercard 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 Programs
Ragna: the AI powered sustainability advisor for micro and small businesses in the EU
AI powered sustainability advice and guidance to ensure long term value creation and compliance with EU regulations for small businesses.
Sweden
IVÆKST: Supporting small businesses growth through AI adoption and optimization
Tailored assessments to drive small business success in AI adoption and optimization IVÆKST’s AI HUB.
Denmark
Lupasafe: Inclusive cybersecurity solution specifically designed for small businesses
Businesses using the Lupasafe Cyber Monitor get 24/7 cybersecurity insights to reduce risk and secure staff, finances, data, and reputation.
The Netherlands
Redamp.io: Redefining cybersecurity for small businesses to grow and become more resilient
Enabling small businesses to bolster their cybersecurity with an affordable, cloud-based and user-friendly platform.
Czech Republic
Cresco: Democratizing cybersecurity by supporting small businesses to understand and tackle their vulnerabilities.
Giving small businesses access to the technology and insights they need to protect their security against cyber threats
Belgium
Valerian: Access to capital for small businesses made as easy as one-click shopping
A friendly companion chatbot that leverages small business data to access on-demand capital.
Luxembourg
Direct Market: Connecting agricultural small businesses to buyers to digitize key food markets
Supporting small businesses to foster autonomous, sustainable and resilient food systems.
France
Bizcuit: Enabling small businesses to overcome daily financial management struggles and unlock access to credit
Enabling small businesses to manage their daily finances through their bank app, saving time, making informed decisions, and improving cash flow management
The Netherlands
tilt: Unlocking small businesses' access to finance and know-how to support a low-carbon transition
A data analytics solution that provides financial institutions with the required climate data to provide small businesses with the necessary funding and know-how.
Germany
It Goes Forward: Redesigning the e-commerce return process to reduce small businesses’ environmental impact and costs
Enabling small online retailers to resell return items directly between consumers, cutting warehouse costs and waste and reducing transport time for a positive environmental impact
The Netherlands
Mastercard Strive EU Small Business Council
Our Partners
Payal Dalal
Executive Vice President, Global Programs, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
"Small businesses are the powerhouse of entrepreneurial spirit and resilience across Europe - that's why creating the conditions for them to thrive is fundamental for ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth. With the backing of Mastercard Strive EU, we hope to support small businesses harness the power of digital to fulfil their full potential and continue to narrow economic divides in communities across the continent."
News & Updates
Featured Article
Mastercard announces ten winners for the Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund
The Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund awards grants of up to €500k to 10 innovative organizations supporting small business growth across the EU.
Report
A roadmap for a resilient and prosperous Europe: supporting small businesses in navigating the twin transition to a digital and sustainable Europe.
This report is a roadmap for fostering meaningful, scalable impact for small businesses as they navigate the dual challenges of digitalization and sustainability. It emphasizes the outsized role that these businesses must play in tackling the EU’s goals of greening and digitalizing the economy, while also acknowledging the obstacles they face in an everevolving economic landscape. The findings highlight the immense potential of small businesses as catalysts for broader innovation and economic resilience across Europe.
Report
Highlights from the Innovation Fund
Micro- and small businesses are the backbone of the EU economy, driving inclusive growth and demonstrating resilience amid ongoing challenges. To unlock their full potential, they need digital and data-first solutions to navigate Europe's digital and sustainable transition. Insights from the Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund, which analyzed nearly 500 applications from EU startups and innovators, highlight six key learnings about the challenges these businesses face and the solutions being developed to support them.
