The Ignite program worked with local financial and support services to help small businesses access funding, technology, and professional networks. The program provided training and skills-strengthening in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam, where many small businesses are ready to grow but lack support.
Interested in partnering with CARE Women Entrepreneurship? Contact us at entrepreneurship@care.org.
How three female entrepreneurs worked with the Ignite program to grow their businesses around the world.
With $5.26m from the Mastercard Impact Fund, Ignite reached 3.9 million entrepreneurs and directly supported 131,000—most of them women. It focused on small and micro-businesses that had been running for at least two years, helping them grow, become more resilient, and improve the financial stability of their owners, their families, and employees.
Want to see how we’re building on this success? Learn more about our ongoing Strive Women program.
Small businesses are the backbone of most economies. They create jobs and reinvest in their local communities. But many of them—especially in developing countries—are stuck in the ‘missing middle.’ They’re too large for microloans yet too small for traditional banks. Globally, there exists a $5 trillion gap in funding for these small businesses.
The Ignite Program set out to change that. It partnered with local organizations to design financial and business services that truly meet the needs of small businesses—especially those led by women. Despite facing greater barriers, women are proven drivers of economic growth: they reliably repay loans, adopt digital tools quickly, and reinvest in their families and communities. If women had better access to finance, they could unlock $330 billion in annual global revenue.
Over three years, the Ignite project will reach almost 2 million entrepreneurs in Pakistan, accelerating the growth of 45,000 enterprises.
Over three years, the Ignite project will reach almost 1 million entrepreneurs in Peru, accelerating the growth of 35,898 enterprises.
Over three years, the Ignite project will reach almost 1 million entrepreneurs in Vietnam, accelerating the growth of 50,000 enterprises.
A collaboration in Vietnam is stimulating business growth for women entrepreneurs by challenging misconceptions.
New research from CARE has revealed a stark truth about women entrepreneurs: Despite some progress, social norms are still keeping women across the globe from reaching their business ambitions.
In partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, CARE's Ignite program unleashed the power of growth-oriented entrepreneurs to contribute to resilient, inclusive economies.
Women-centered design acknowledges that women’s needs and the barriers they face are fundamentally different to men. Barriers might include laws and political systems that disadvantage women, harmful social norms, and limited access to finance due to no credit history or collateral, male guarantor requirements, or restrictions on land ownership.
In 2020, millions of women left the workforce. As the pandemic accelerates the move toward a digital economy, women are at risk of being left behind.
Digital tools helped Hina streamline her business, giving her the freedom to spend more time with family.
With access to capital and training, Pham Phuong Thao's business is flourishing in Vietnam.
Fariha is supporting a network of artisans through her business.
After COVID-19 halted her tourism business, Fouzia knew that learning digital skills were crucial to success.
At age 21, Nguyen Thi Hien took over her family business. Since then, she's been taking the business world by storm.
Maria Elena Menacho García has two jewelry stores and wants to expand online.
Tran Quynh Anh imports foods and believes that passion and hard work will break down all barriers.
Adnan Ali has a strong head for business and is keen to diversify his plastics business.
María Julia Ancajima Prado has come a long way since starting domestic work at the age of only 13.
See how CARE’s Ignite program shifted social norms in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam.
Watch VideoSee how three women entrepreneurs learned digital technologies to scale their businesses.
Watch VideoHina runs a girls' hostel in Pakistan and is passionate about what women entrepreneurs can achieve.
Watch VideoSaeeda runs a clothing store in Pakistan and explains how she has improved her financial management with CARE’s support.
Watch VideoCARE President and CEO Michelle Nunn gives an update on the process of Ignite in Vietnam, Pakistan, and Peru.
Watch VideoThrough Ignite, Jesús strengthened the women entrepreneurs in the association she leads in Peru, despite COVID-19.
Watch VideoMastercard and CARE announced their partnership for the Ignite Program during the Global Inclusive Growth Summit. The $5.26M partnership will reach 3.9 million entrepreneurs and open up much-needed access to finance, technology, and networks and build entrepreneurship capacity and skills.
