In the years following the pandemic, the U.S. saw a historic surge in small business creation—a promising sign of entrepreneurial spirit and economic resilience. Yet, if historical trends continue, nearly half of these new businesses will fail within five years. Small businesses in rural communities face even steeper challenges, from lack of access to capital to limited digital tools and networks. And yet, the promise of small businesses is immense: they are powerful engines for economic mobility, creating pathways for families and individuals to build lasting financial stability and opportunity.

We invited Jonathan Fantini-Porter, Senior Vice President for the Americas at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, to talk about how the Center is working to change the trajectory for small business owners through Mastercard Strive USA. This bold initiative aims to unlock $50 billion in lending capital, reach five million small businesses, and strengthen ecosystems that enable them to thrive. With more than $46 billion in capital already unlocked and millions of businesses reached, Mastercard Strive USA is proving that when small businesses grow, communities grow with them.

Listen for insights on:

• Designing scalable, systems-level solutions that align with business strategy
• The power of data, technology, and AI in advancing inclusive economic development
• Advice for early-career professionals seeking to grow in social impact and corporate sustainability roles

Resources + Links:

• Jonathan Fantini-Porter’s LinkedIn
• Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
• Mastercard Strive USA

• (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360
• (00:13) - Mastercard
• (01:23) - Jonathan’s Background
• (03:05) - Moving to Mastercard
• (04:40) - Lessons from Parents
• (08:05) - Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
• (09:54) - Setting the Goal
• (12:12) - Strive USA
• (14:52) - Rural America
• (17:23) - Small Businesses
• (19:19) - Integrating AI
• (22:22) - Advice
• (25:24) - Last Words
• (29:00) - Wrap Up