This social impact initiative supports small businesses to go digital, access capital, and grow their networks and know-how to thrive in a digital economy.
MUMBAI (India CSR): Mastercard Strive in India has reached more than 15 lakh small businesses and individuals since 2021, helping them improve digital capabilities, access finance, expand market linkages and strengthen business resilience. The social-impact initiative, developed by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, has facilitated over $150 million in credit for small businesses while supporting women entrepreneurs, agri-entrepreneurs and micro enterprises across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, retail and rural services.
Beyond its scale, the initiative has delivered measurable results. Over 800,000 micro enterprises across agriculture, manufacturing, retail and rural services have accessed digital tools and financial services, which have helped them reach new customers and create new income opportunities. Women-led or owned businesses make up 60% of these enterprises, underscoring the initiative’s focus on expanding economic opportunity for women. Together, Mastercard Strive in India and its complementary programs have facilitated more than $150 million in credit for small businesses.
“India’s next phase of economic growth will be shaped by the strength and resilience of its small businesses. As digital technologies become increasingly central to commerce, ensuring that entrepreneurs can access the capabilities, networks, and financial tools needed to participate fully in the economy is both an inclusion imperative and a growth opportunity. Having reached over 15 lakh enterprises and people, Mastercard Strive in India shows how purposeful partnerships can help deliver meaningful impact at scale and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat,” said Gautam Aggarwal, President, India & South Asia, Mastercard.
Mastercard Strive is a global social impact initiative supporting small businesses around the world. Through a coordinated set of programs, Mastercard Strive in India helps address barriers that small businesses face in accessing markets, finance, digital tools, information and networks. The impact of this initiative has been driven through five flagship programs:
- Rural Women Chambers of Commerce (RWCC): Implemented with the Mann Deshi Foundation, the program has supported more than 22,000 women entrepreneurs through an integrated one-stop support model that connects them to markets, finance, digital tools, business services and networks.
- Digital Saksham: Delivered in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the initiative has helped over 300,000 MSEs build digital capabilities and adopt technology to expand market access and strengthen financial resilience.
- She Leads Bharat: Udyam: In partnership with Frontier Markets and Airtel Payments Bank, the program has supported more than 100,000 women entrepreneurs as last-mile connectors, helping expand access to financial services and essential products in rural communities.
- Akanksha: Delivered with Haqdarshak, the program has built a network of women nano-entrepreneurs, who have connected over 920,000 MSEs, agri-entrepreneurs and citizens to government schemes, financial services, and market-linked opportunities.
- MANDI: Implemented with ACCESS Development Services, the program has supported more than 150,000 agri-entrepreneurs by strengthening farmer producer organizations (FPOs) as hubs for market access, business capabilities and digital connectivity.
“The future of inclusive growth depends on whether small businesses can access and participate in the digital economy,” said Subhashini Chandran, Senior Vice President, Social Impact, APEMEA, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “Mastercard Strive in India shows that with the right support, entrepreneurs can build resilience, unlock new opportunities and drive lasting change for their families and communities around them. This moves us closer to our commitment to connect and protect 500 million people and small businesses on their pathways to financial health by 2030.”
Small businesses employ millions and strengthen communities, but their struggles to access finance, digital tools and markets are intensifying amid economic pressures and supply chain disruptions. Against this backdrop, Mastercard Strive in India set out to help small businesses, particularly women-led enterprises and agri-businesses, strengthen their digital capabilities, become more credit-ready, and connect to formal markets and networks. Since 2021, the initiative has worked with NGOs, social enterprises, financial institutions and industry bodies to deliver context-specific support for small businesses across India.
As India’s digital transformation accelerates, Mastercard remains committed to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their dreams, providing the tools to help propel their dream, protect every step and power every payment.
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