Six new startups dedicated to driving big impact for small businesses join Mastercard Start Path
February 26, 2025Today, Mastercard welcomes six new companies from around the world into its award-winning startup engagement program, Start Path. From adding payments into workflows, to unlocking access to capital, building enterprise-grade tools and enhancing digitization and automation, these startups are addressing some of small and medium businesses’ most critical needs today and helping shape their operations for the future.
Throughout the program, Mastercard will provide startups with an opportunity to tap into its network and expertise to uncover impactful product partnerships that could help close the gap in small business digitization journeys. The following companies have been selected for their dedication to democratizing financial tools and providing cutting-edge services for SMEs:
Meet the Start Path Small Business program's newest fintechs:
Norman Finance is an embedded accounting and tax filing AI agent automating tax preparation, helping customers save thousands of euros in the process.
"As a serial entrepreneur, I have witnessed firsthand how the financial industry underserves SMEs. Finance should not be a barrier, but an invisible cog,” says CEO and co-founder Peter Boyko. “We are creating an autopilot for ourselves and fellow entrepreneurs to make financial admin effortless.”
BoxCommerce empowers SMEs, enterprises and marketplaces with innovative e-commerce, social commerce, payments and logistics solutions, dedicated to revolutionize the digital commerce landscape.
“The future of financial technology lies in accessibility, efficiency and empowerment. I was inspired to enter the fintech space by the challenge of breaking down financial barriers and creating seamless digital solutions for businesses and consumers alike,” says CEO and co-founder Craig McLeod. “As technology evolves, our vision is to build a more inclusive and intelligent e-commerce and payment ecosystem — where transactions are frictionless, opportunities are limitless and financial empowerment is available to everyone, everywhere.”
Skydropx is a shipment transaction platform that helps businesses across diverse sectors streamline their shipping processes with cutting-edge tools.
“My passion for fintech is underpinned by a desire to empower SMEs with access to the products and services they need to unlock their full potential,” says partner Tavo Zambrano. “My vision for the future of financial technology is that it will be cross-sectional and capable of interacting with other business processes.”
Lemonero makes financial services accessible to SMEs through an AI-driven embedded finance platform, designed to enable fast, tailored and fully online access to capital within minutes.
“The opportunity to empower SMEs with accessible financial solutions that fuel their growth and stability sparked my passion for fintech,” says CEO and co-founder Jan Lastuvka. “I envision a future where AI-driven embedded finance seamlessly integrates into everyday business operations, making financial services faster, fairer and more personalized for companies of all sizes.”
Calculum leverages AI-driven supply chain analytics to help companies unlock working capital and generate billions in free cash flow.
"Our vision is a future where data-powered financial services are accessible, affordable and efficient for all," says CEO and co-founder Oliver Belin. "Data insights can democratize finance, empowering businesses of any size to gain control and a competitive advantage."
FlapKap offers SMEs in the Middle East and North Africa fast and accessible working capital funding solutions.
"As a founder and ex-CFO, I experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to get financing as a small business,” says CEO and co-founder Ahmad Coucha. “While I understood the banks’ concerns about the risks in the SME sector, I also saw an opportunity. If leveraged correctly, the growing digital footprint around SMEs could help mitigate these risk concerns."
Mastercard's commitment to small business
Mastercard is dedicated to fostering an inclusive digital economy by empowering SMEs through trusted partnerships, seamless technology, innovative services, and dedicated programs like Mastercard Strive USA domestically and Mastercard Digital Doors globally. In alignment with this mission, Mastercard recently accomplished its goal of bringing over 50 million micro, small, and medium enterprises into the digital economy.
Building on this progress, Mastercard has introduced the Mastercard Mid-Market Accelerator, a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help financial providers address the specific needs of their middle-market customers. In collaboration with a small business technology platform and 2020 Start Path participant vcita, Mastercard also launched Mastercard Biz360, a centralized platform that consolidates operational tools, subscriptions, and payment gateways for small business owners in a single destination. These innovations follow the announcement of the Mastercard Small Business AI tool and chatbot - now available in beta for U.S. users – that’s designed to provide real-time, tailored guidance to small businesses.
About Start Path
The Start Path portfolio includes more than 450 companies from over 60 countries, many of which are entering public markets, reaching unicorn status and exploring extended commercial engagements with Mastercard and its customers.
About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
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