Mastercard has launched new Business Builder debit and credit cards specifically designed for content creators, offering tailored financial tools and resources to address the challenges faced by entrepreneurial creators.

The Business Builder program responds to Mastercard North America Insights market research showing that 73% of Gen Z and Millennials prefer working as creators, entrepreneurs, or small business owners over traditional corporate roles. 

The company aims to support this shift with specialized financial products that help blend creative pursuits and business ownership.

The cards provide access to entity formation through Tailor Brands, business management solutions via Uome, cybersecurity services from Cyvatar, and credit building insights from Dun & Bradstreet, along with Mastercard’s core small business benefits.

A company press statement quotes Mike Kresse, EVP of North America Commercial & New Payment Flows at Mastercard, as saying “With the Mastercard Business Builder program and the catalyst for Creators, we continue to help our customers and partners serve small businesses through the entirety of their journey, from their first sale to global scale.”

Addressing Creator Financial Challenges

The program directly targets financial obstacles cited by creators. While the Mastercard North America Insights report found that 78% of people say being a creator helps establish financial stability, 80% report financial challenges—including rising costs and inconsistent income—as significant barriers to success.

The catalyst program provides education on business strategies for solopreneurs, shares perspectives on brand-creator relationships, offers operational tools including Mastercard’s Small Business AI, and facilitates networking opportunities with brands.

Building Creator Brands and Businesses

Mastercard noted it is committed to providing applicable brand creators with tools, resources, and mentorship through its network of partners across creator agencies, marketing firms, and business leaders in various industries.

In the same statement, Rustom Dastoor, EVP of Marketing & Communications for the Americas at Mastercard, says: “The most impactful Creators we work with have built strong personal brands that have credibility, longevity and a dedicated community. The strength of a Creator’s brand, with a clear identity and consistent voice, leads to more meaningful engagements for their partners and better business outcomes for all of us.”

Partner companies expressed support for the initiative, including Cyvatar’s CEO Corey White, who notes their services “ensure entrepreneurs can focus on creating and innovating, free from the fear of cyber threats,” and Tailor Brands’ CEO Yali Saar, who emphasized small business owners’ need for support “especially as they spend over 40 hours a year navigating regulations.”

A similar initiative from the fintech platform On The House (OTH) Network involving an AI-powered app and exclusive black card started gaining traction in October 2024. Through the OTH Network app, influencers can access offers from local businesses. After creating sponsored content, they can use a black and gold card to spend the earned credit in person at partnering businesses.

While the card functions more like a loyalty card for redeeming credits at partner businesses, OTH said it planned to turn it into a real Visa or Mastercard for influencers to use to bank.