Cresco: Democratizing cybersecurity by supporting small businesses to understand and tackle their vulnerabilities.
This program supports Cresco in scaling an affordable, AI-enhanced penetration testing and vulnerability scanning platform to strengthen cybersecurity for small businesses across the EU.
Why this program?
- As cyber threats evolve rapidly, small businesses are increasingly exposed and under-protected. With the rise of digitalization, it is crucial to bolster their cybersecurity to ensure they can digitize safely and protect against emerging risks.
- Only one-third of European small businesses prioritize digitalization, with 28% attributing this to a lack of cybersecurity expertise.
- Cyberattacks can lead to severe financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory fines, with 60% of small businesses closing within six months of an attack.
- Small businesses are increasingly targeted, with nearly half of all cyber breaches in 2021 directed at them.
Program overview
Cresco is committed to making cybersecurity accessible for small businesses by leveraging advanced technologies, including AI. Its solution enables small businesses to conduct penetration testing (simulating cyberattacks to find and fix security weaknesses) and identify, track, and address various security vulnerabilities. It offers small businesses seamless access to a vulnerability scanner, a user-friendly dashboard, and evidence-driven reporting tools to inform their decision making.
The Cresco platform enhances the efficiency and accuracy of penetration testing through automated scanning, customizable reporting, and scoping tools, enabling small business owners to focus more on their day-to-day management activities.
By bolstering the cybersecurity of small businesses through an affordable, high-quality solution, this program with Cresco contributes to a safer online environment for European small businesses. With support from the Mastercard Strive EU program, Cresco will scale its solution to reach more small businesses, while customizing it to address their specific needs. By enhancing its capabilities and various functionalities, Cresco is driving a more secure future for small businesses in the EU.
About Cresco Cybersecurity
Cresco is a major player in cybersecurity located in Belgium and France. Their main focus is pen testing: hacking companies before they really get hacked. Cresco is committed to raise the cybersecurity maturity level of the European IT landscape. They are a team of ethical hackers full of passion and believe that their diversity makes them smarter and stronger.
Implementation partners
Delivering impact where it matters most
Implementation partners work directly with small businesses to design and deliver practical, digital-first solutions. Through localized expertise and hands-on support, they help entrepreneurs adopt tools, strengthen operations, improve access to financial services, and expand into digital markets. These partners translate strategy into action — meeting small businesses where they are and equipping them with the capabilities they need to grow, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
Become a partner
Interested in being a partner for change?
Together we can empower millions of small businesses globally with innovative digital solutions that boost resilience, growth, and inclusion. Your organization's expertise can help bring impactful programs to scale, deepen local reach, and create meaningful change in the small business ecosystem. Be part of a vibrant partner community driving real economic impact.
Youssef Bey
CrescoWith the Mastercard Strive EU funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, we believe we can take our solution to the next level and accelerate its development to better meet the needs of small businesses. Through this program, we aim to make penetration testing more affordable for small businesses and bolster their cybersecurity measures.
