With the support of
Mastercard Strive is a portfolio of philanthropic programs supported by Mastercard’s social impact arm, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth (CFIG). Mastercard Strive bolsters the growth and financial resilience of micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses around the world, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Since 2021, Caribou has worked with Mastercard CFIG to bring this initiative to life by providing end-to-end fund strategy, design and management, measurement and impact, advisory, and communications services.
Through a combination of innovation funds and co-created partnerships, Caribou has sourced and implemented more than 45 initiatives in countries across Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Underpinned by digital and data-first solutions, these activities have supported over 13 million small businesses to build their digital skills, increase the efficiency of their business operations, access digital financial services, and/or strengthen their market participation.
Mastercard Strive operates through a network of global and local partnerships, tailoring solutions to different regions. For example, in Kenya, we have partnered with MESH, a digital community platform that connects small business owners—many of whom operate informally—with new customers, financial services, and peer networks.
Through these types of collaborations with innovative business-to-business startups, fintech companies, digital platforms, and nonprofit partners, Caribou is unlocking the potential of small businesses as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
