Mastercard Strive in Czechia Supported Nearly 250,000 Entrepreneurs and Sparked Systemic Changes in Small Business Support

After three years, the Mastercard Strive programmeme in the Czech Republic is coming to a close. Through a partnership between the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and the nonprofit CARE Czech Republic, and in collaboration with over a hundred partners, the programme supported nearly 250,000 entrepreneurs. It developed their business skills and enhanced digital tool usage. Based on data and systematic mapping of needs, it brought a fresh perspective on how small businesses can be supported across the country.

At the heart of the programme was the digital platform Pro podnikavé, an information hub featuring tools, guides, tests, videos, and real-life stories. It grew into a community of more than 8,000 entrepreneurs interested in digitalization, finance, and business development. The platform content was supported by more than 60 experts.

Beyond the content, Pro podnikavé offered free consultations and mentoring, for example, through the DoToho! programme, which provided personalized support to over 2,100 entrepreneurs.

"Thanks to the Mastercard Strive in Czechia programme, we gained valuable insights and tools that helped us streamline our business. Mentoring, community support, and expert guidance enabled us to improve coordination and prepare our company for further growth. We were able to expand our team, open a new branch, and increase our customer base. Mentally, it has been a relief, and we feel we’re getting closer to finding a balance between work and family life," says Zuzana Bodnárová, co-founder of Dej mi pokojovku.

The programme operated through the collaboration of more than 100 partner organizations across the country, from industry associations and expert partners to regional support centers. The result is a comprehensive solution that supports small businesses throughout the Czech Republic.

"Strong and digitally-ready small businesses are the foundation of economic resilience and prosperity. Mastercard Strive in the Czech Republic was a key way to unlock that potential. Beyond mentoring, experience sharing, and digitalization support, we also launched projects such as the data portal KdeZačítPodnikat.cz and the nationwide initiative Small Business Week," says Jana Lvová, Country Manager, Czech Republic and Slovakia, Mastercard.

Three Years of Real Change

Mastercard Strive was launched in the Czech Republic in response to the vulnerabilities faced by small businesses – from the pandemic and energy crisis, to the war in Ukraine and the growing digital divide. Digitalization isn't just about new technologies; it's a way to manage uncertainty and sustain businesses through turbulent times.

The programme was rooted in data, cross-sector collaboration, and targeted support for specific entrepreneur groups: women, parents, solo traders, entrepreneurs from marginalized regions, and Ukrainians. 

"Our goal was to provide support that’s sustainable in the long term. We created a go-to place that entrepreneurs actively use, built bridges across sectors, and based the entire programme on real data. I believe the future belongs to those who dare to build, and it’s our role to support that courage," concludes Barbora Florková, Director of CARE Czech Republic.

The Shift and New Challenges

The programme also included regular surveys of the entrepreneurial environment through its Barometers: Striving to Thrive. The latest and fourth report from April 2025 offered deep insights into issues such as cybersecurity, as well as comparisons of developments from 2022. What has changed over the three years of the programme's implementation?

• Entrepreneurs are investing more in technology: 47% consider it key to their success (up from 40% in 2023).
• While 69% view cybersecurity as important, 42% still invest less than CZK 500 per month in it.
• Mentoring and consulting are among the most sought-after support services – entrepreneurs value hands-on guidance and shared experiences.
• Women face greater barriers – 53% do not use any business support services, often due to time constraints related to family care or a lack of trust in available options.

What Mastercard Strive in Czechia Achieved

• Supported nearly 250,000 small business owners across the country.
• Built a community of more than 9,400 users on the Pro podnikavé platform and delivered 2,100+ individual consultations via DoToho!
• Created over 200 practical guides and educational resources and published more than 200 articles, podcasts, and interviews on entrepreneurship and digitalization.
• Organized hundrets of workshops and conferences nationwide.
• Conducted 8 research studies mapping the needs and challenges of small businesses in the Czech Republic.
• Connected over 100 organizations across sectors to form a functional support ecosystem for small enterprises.

Creating Lasting Impact

Mastercard Strive in Czechia sparked a conversation about the importance and needs of small businesses on a scale that had been missing. It leaves behind not just data and stories, but practical tools that remain in use. The Pro podnikavé platform, online academy, and mentoring programme DoToho! are all ready to continue supporting entrepreneurs into the future.