Mastercard Strive EU
Surfacing new innovations and amplifying small business voices in the EU
Explore a curated collection of articles, insights, news, updates, and programs reflecting key developments and initiatives across Mastercard Strive EU. Stay informed on the perspectives and priorities shaping the region's evolving landscape.
Snapshot study: The digital transformation of European micro-businesses
Our focus
Advancing innovation and resilience for Europe’s small businesses
The Mastercard Strive EU program, implemented by Caribou, 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 common roadblocks
Get capital
By funding community financial institutions including local banks, minority depository institutions, and credit unions, we make it easier for businesses to get the funding they need, when and where they need it.
Go digital
We connect small businesses with mission-driven technology 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
Vested Impact: empowering small businesses with the data they need to make change
Leveraging AI and 300M science-based and impact data points to automatically assess and quantify the non-financial impact of small businesses
Mastercard Strive EU: Surfacing new innovations and amplifying small business voices in the EU
Supporting small businesses to navigate Europe’s twin transitions to a more digital and sustainable economy
Mastercard Strive EU Small Business Council
Regional leadership driving local impact
The Small Business Council brings together experienced leaders from across the region to guide the implementation of Strive's programs. Drawing on deep local insight and sector expertise, council members help ensure initiatives are responsive to the realities small businesses face. Their leadership strengthens collaboration, accountability, and impact — advancing solutions that empower entrepreneurs and support inclusive economic growth.
Andi Cristea
Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
Derek Corcoran
Chief Operating Officer, OKX Ireland
Gill Thomas
Director of Engagement, Global Cyber Alliance
Hajdi Cenan
CEO & President, Airt
Horst Heitz
Chair of the Steering Committee, SME
Jessica Espinoza
CEO, 2X Global
Kilian Thalhammer
Managing Director, Deutsche Bank
Magdalena Przelaskowska
Startup & Innovation Ecosystem Expert, Google
Marc-Alexander Christ
Founder, SumUp
Naomi O'Halloran
Strategic Payment Partnerships - European Lead, Square
Tilman Tacke
Partner, McKinsey & Company
Former Member, Patrick Kerssemakers
General Partner, DFF
Former Member, Michael Steidl
Senior Advisor, EIBOur partners
Driving growth through institutional know-how, capabilities and resources
Regional partners play a critical role in implementing Strive's programs within local communities. With deep market knowledge and trusted networks, they translate strategy into action — connecting small businesses to digital tools, financial services, and new market opportunities. Their leadership ensures solutions are locally relevant, accessible, and designed to drive lasting economic growth.
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.
Payal Dalal
MastercardSmall 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.
Report
Full study: The digital transformation of European micro-businesses
Micro-businesses are the backbone of the EU’s economy. Supporting them to navigate the transition to a lower-carbon, more digital economy across the EU is essential to delivering growth that is both sustainable and inclusive. This study captures the current state of digital and sustainability journeys for EU micro-businesses based on responses from more than 1,300 businesses across 23 countries. This study explores progress in these journeys and identifies micro-business barriers and support needs. It also explores two emerging priorities of digital solution use: artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Report
Interactive key insights: The digital transformation of European micro-businesses
Micro-businesses are the backbone of the EU’s economy. Supporting them to navigate the transition to a lower-carbon, more digital economy across the EU is essential to delivering growth that is both sustainable and inclusive. This study captures the current state of digital and sustainability journeys for EU micro-businesses based on responses from more than 1,300 businesses across 23 countries. This study explores progress in these journeys and identifies micro-business barriers and support needs. It also explores two emerging priorities of digital solution use: artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Report
Enabling innovators, empowering micro-businesses. A path to Europe’s competitiveness
This report explores how EU-based Innovators are designing practical, affordable digital solutions that help micro- and small businesses navigate Europe’s digital and green transitions to grow and build resilience. Drawing on real-world insights from our work with 11 innovators in the EU, it highlights innovator challenges to scale and reach more small businesses, and what’s needed from the wider ecosystem to unlock inclusive growth and competitiveness.
Report
Exploring the role of digital innovation in small business competitiveness and resilience
Drawing on insights from Mastercard Strive EU Innovation Fund partners, this brief explores how AI and cybersecurity innovations enhance the competitiveness and resilience of small businesses in the EU. It outlines key impact pathways, highlights challenges identified by portfolio partners, and examines the dual nature of AI and cybersecurity. Real-world case studies illustrate how these technologies can support the EU’s AI goals.
Report
Cybersecurity in Europe: Challenges and solutions for small businesses
This focus paper explores the growing cybersecurity challenges facing Europe’s Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), which play a vital role in economic growth but are increasingly vulnerable due to rapid digitalization and limited resources. While digital transformation has helped MSEs remain competitive (particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic) it has also exposed them to a broad spectrum of cyber threats, including ransomware, phishing, malware, DDoS attacks, and supply chain breaches. These threats are intensified by a lack of cybersecurity expertise, dependence on costly or ill-suited technology solutions, and constrained budgets, all of which can result in significant operational and financial consequences.
Report
Transition to sustainability: Next steps to support European SMEs’ journey
This paper focuses on the role of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the EU's environmental transition. It considers the obstacles they face and possible solutions to ensure a sustainable and prosperous transition. MSEs represent a significant proportion of EU businesses, micro enterprises alone accounted for 93.6% of all European enterprises in 2023, employing nearly half of the enterprise workforce. Despite their size, MSEs are responsible for a considerable proportion of environmental impact. According to OECD data, they contribute to 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in general, and half of industrial pollution.
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 ever evolving 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 EU 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.
Report
Romania Small Business Snapshot
The small business sector in Romania is often overlooked, and the unique perspectives and challenges of business owners are rarely heard as a unified voice. This snapshot provides data-driven insights of Romanian small business needs, barriers, and perceptions around digital and green transformation.
News & updates
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.
Tern Eco: Making circularity easy for micro- and small businesses
This post is authored by Zoe Rowswell and Kate Walmsley, co-founders of Tern Eco, and Grace Natabaalo from Mastercard Strive.
Grants available for small business cybersecurity solutions
Today, Mastercard launched its latest Strive Innovation Fund.
Grants available for AI solutions for small businesses
New Strive EU grants fund AI solutions helping small businesses boost productivity, access finance, improve customer engagement, and stay competitive in Europe’s digital economy.
Grants available to help small businesses manage rising sustainability demands
New Strive EU grants fund digital solutions helping small businesses meet sustainability regulations, unlock green opportunities, and stay competitive in Europe’s evolving ESG landscape.
Grants available to improve access to credit for European small businesses
Strive EU grants fund embedded finance solutions to expand credit access, unlock working capital, and close Europe’s growing small business financing gap.
