Opportunities

Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund

€4.5 million in grants available

Seeking innovative B2B solutions specifically designed or tailored for European small businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

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Eligibility

Project eligibility

Proposed projects must:

  • Align with at least one of the four focus themes: embedded finance, cybersecurity, environmental sustainability, and AI.
  • Target small businesses (with fewer than 10 employees) as customers or end users.
  • Leverage digital and data-first solutions.
  • Be implemented in at least one EU market.
  • Be at least in the Product Definition stage and ready to demonstrate a more mature phase has been achieved by the end of the project.
  • Must not focus on capacity building, such as training or mentorship. 

Organizational eligibility

Applicants:

  • Can be startups, established companies, nonprofits, or social enterprises of all sizes.
  • Cannot be government entities or academic institutions.
  • Must be registered and operating in at least one of the 27 EU member states. 
  • Can apply as a consortium with other organizations, provided that the main applicant is registered and operating in at least one of the 27 EU member states.
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Due diligence requirements

Applicants must:

  • Comply with EU and US sanctions, laws, and regulations, including data and privacy regulations.
  • Be registered and operational, demonstrating at least 1 year of legal and ethical operations and commendable performance.
  • Be compliant with all applicable laws, including adhering to fundamental human rights and all international and EU labor standards.
  • Be fully compliant with business licensing, taxation, employee, and other regulations in all countries of operation.
  • Be financially healthy with adequate reporting systems.
  • Have no involvement in unethical activities such as arms production or tobacco.
  • Comply with the terms and conditions of funding.