Striving to Thrive: The state of Czech Micro and Small Enterprises, 2022
Throughout the Czech economy, digitalization is a trend that is here to stay. However, the benefits of digitalization have not been equally realized.
Mastercard Strive in Czechia: supporting 250,000 small businesses to succeed in the digital economy
Our programs
Bolstering the resilience and growth of Czech small businesses through digitalization, peer mentoring, and financial services.
Why this program?
Why this program?
Based on the data from the Czech statistical office there are 1.3 million micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the Czech Republic, accounting for more than 98,89% of all businesses. Most of them are being confronted with various challenges, such as low rates of digitalization, inadequate access to tailored finance, and a scarcity of resources for skills development, networking, and productivity enhancement. These hurdles are further compounded by the lack of coordination among agencies, resulting in disjointed public assistance and uncertainty for entrepreneurs. Czech small businesses also underperform compared to their EU counterparts. This is especially true of women-led MSEs.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainians relocated to the Czech Republic, seeking support to establish their short- and medium-term economic livelihoods.
The Mastercard Strive in Czechia program, funded by the Mastercard Impact Fund with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and implemented by CARE Czech Republic aims to empower small Czech entrepreneurs, particularly women, to thrive in the digital economy while laying sustainable groundwork for their long-term success. By demystifying digitalization and leveraging research insights, the program strives to create a secure enabling environment where entrepreneurs can achieve sustainable growth and financial resilience.
Register on the Pro Podnikavé platform to stay updated on the development of the program and research.
Program overview
MSEs in Czechia face many barriers. These include low rates of digitalization, lack of access to tailored finance, and insufficient access to skills-building, peer networks, and tools that improve productivity. These barriers are compounded by poor coordination across agencies, leading to fragmented public support and confusion for entrepreneurs. The Mastercard Strive in Czechia program addresses these barriers by focusing on several aspects in concert.
The end goal is to contribute to the digitalization and development of more than 200,000 MSEs, of which at least 80,000 will be women-led or -owned. The program will support 40,000 MSEs to have an easier path to financial services for their business. The program also aspires to support at least 10,000 MSEs led or owned by displaced Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
1. Simplify the path to digitalization for SMEs and increase access to finance and a range of critical support services through a one-stop-shop online platform
As part of the program, a comprehensive online platform “Pro Podnikavé” has been launched to support owners of micro and small businesses in the Czech Republic. This platform provides access to assessments, essential resources, digital tools, events, mentoring, and tailored advice to facilitate their growth. Besides that, the program actively engages in shaping systemic changes to improve the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Czech Republic, fostering a dynamic community of entrepreneurs.
2. Understand the needs of small entrepreneurs via qualitative and quantitative research
The program carries out both qualitative and quantitative research to gain insights into the needs of micro and small businesses in the Czech Republic. Reports from Barometer research exploring various facets such as technological adoption and perceptions of gender roles are published annually. Additionally, in collaboration with the Institute of Sociology at the Czech Academy of Sciences, the program has undertaken qualitative research to deepen our understanding of the environment of women-led businesses.
3. Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Addressing Unique Challenges in Work-Life Balance
The program prioritizes addressing the unique needs of women in business, recognizing the distinct challenges they encounter, such as managing time effectively and fulfilling caregiving responsibilities. Research emphasizes the struggles that women face in balancing work and care duties, which often delays their entry into the business arena. This understanding shapes our efforts to support women entrepreneurs more effectively.
4. Supporting displaced entrepreneurs from Ukraine
Furthermore, the program extends its support to displaced entrepreneurs from Ukraine, offering a range of services such as mentoring, counseling, and business information in Ukrainian. This support aims to help them overcome obstacles and achieve financial stability as they establish or develop businesses in the Czech Republic.
5. Strengthens the Czech entrepreneurial support system through the Strive Czechia Learning Network
Strive Learning Network will aid in the creation of partnerships and foster an environment of collaboration and information sharing.
Report
Striving to Thrive Part 3: Czech MSEs in 2024
A closer look at how MSEs access, use and think about financing. The study delves deep into the financial resilience, well-being, and challenges faced by micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Czechia — a sector that represents 98.9% of all businesses in the country.
Report
Striving to Thrive: The state of Czech Micro and Small Enterprises, 2022
Help for 250,000 Czech entrepreneurs throughout the Czech economy, digitalization is clearly a trend that is here to stay. Unfortunately, however, the benefits of digitalization have not been equally realized.
Report
Striving to Thrive Part 2: Czech MSEs in 2023
A closer look at technology, gender, and perceptions of MSEs. In the dynamic landscape of Czech small businesses, our latest findings reveal a nuanced perspective that cannot be overlooked.
“Even in today's world, gender remains one of the most significant sources of inequality. It is known that women do not have the same opportunities in business as men. We want to change that through the Mastercard Strive in Czechia program. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with local partners to help businesses in this country achieve long-term prosperity.”
Katarína Klamková
National Director of CARE Czech Republic
Implementation partners
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