Mastercard collaborates with ShopUp to empower women-led small businesses

Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth today announced a new collaboration with commerce platform ShopUp, also supported by the Gates Foundation, to equip women and small business owners in Bangladesh with the digital skills and tools they need to grow and thrive.

This partnership is part of the global Master Stride initiative, which aims to support small businesses in their digital adoption and upskilling journey.

The programme, Porshi, aims to upskill 1,600 small business owners and deliver support to unlock access to a broader range of fast-moving consumer goods, enabling approximately 40% of small business owners to consistently use ShopUp's app for last-mile delivery.

"Small businesses have a key role in creating strong and healthy communities," says Subhashini Chandran, Senior Vice President, Social Impact, Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth. "This effort will boost women small business owners' revenues and support them to become more resilient, competitive, and successful in today's digital economy."

In Bangladesh, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) drive the economy, contributing 25% to GDP and employing 87%[1] Of the workforce. However, they face a $2.8[2] billion financing gap and other challenges, including informality and limited job stability.

While only 7.2%[3] Women—mostly micro in size, lead registered MSMEs—many more operate informally and contribute significantly to the economy by providing goods, services, and employment, particularly for other women.

"Mastercard recognises the economic potential and ripple effect of supporting the growth of women-led small businesses in Bangladesh," says Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager, Bangladesh, Mastercard. "Despite their small size, they drive local economies and create new opportunities for other women. All they need is the right technology, skills and financial literacy to grow and succeed."

"Closing gender gaps in market access and digital use is essential for inclusive growth. When women can fully participate, entire communities and economies are better off," says Pennington, Senior Program Officer, Women's Economic Empowerment, Gates Foundation

ShopUp connects mills, brands, and manufacturers with small neighbourhood shops, providing them with easy access to a stable and diverse supply of food and essential goods. Using ShopUp's mobile app, small business owners can manage orders from local households and deliver affordable products directly to their doorsteps. Today, millions of rural households benefit from ShopUp's distribution network, which connects digitally enabled small business owners.

Small business owners receive intensive training in digital skills, doorstep sales, and financial literacy. Training will ensure they are not only equipped to run a business but also resilient and financially healthy enough to manage their income, savings, and reinvestment, many of whom will be doing so for the first time in their lives.

"Porshi is more than just a program — it is a movement to transform the way rural women engage in commerce," says Mamun Rashid, President of ShopUp. "We are thrilled to witness how the initiative is unlocking potential and driving economic resilience in underserved communities."

On average, monthly earnings per micro-retailer are projected to reach BDT 10,000 (about $82). The use of ShopUp's digital platform continues to gain traction, with some women small business owners already reporting increases in household income, while others find extra capacity to contribute to school fees, medical expenses, and improved nutrition at home.

One of the business owners, Shahina from Rangpur, shares her story, "When the Porshi team told me, 'You can do it,' I chose to believe them—and in just one month, I earned BDT 6,000. Today, I run my shop, and for the first time, I'm moving forward without looking back."

By placing women at the centre of last-mile distribution, this program is building resilient local supply chains and accelerating the growth and digitalisation of women small business owners.

Mastercard Strive is a portfolio of philanthropic programs supported by the Mastercard Centre for Inclusive Growth. With programmes in 45+ countries around the world, Mastercard Strive aims to reach 18 million micro and small businesses, helping them go digital, access capital, and connect with networks and expertise. Caribou deliver this Mastercard Strive programme in Bangladesh.