Mastercard and Microsoft have announced a collaboration to shape the future of digital commerce, drive startup innovation and enable financial inclusion.

The partnership will accelerate Mastercard Labs’ cloud native research and development activities, enabled by Azure cloud and artificial intelligence systems to advance Mastercard’s mission to de-risk and commercialise emerging technologies and platforms for digital commerce.

Ken Moore, executive vice president and head of Mastercard Labs, stated: “This strategic collaboration will strengthen and extend our cloud services and capabilities for clients and FinTech partners, sparking innovation and creativity for the ecosystem - it will enable us to explore opportunities focused on new client segments, technologies and trends as we continue to drive financial inclusion and build the future of commerce.”

Through access to Azure technologies, augmented and virtual reality and Internet of Things, partner companies will be empowered to create new user experiences to advance how consumers, businesses and governments exchange value.

Mastercard’s Start Path program has already assisted with the development of over 230 FinTech firms worldwide, democratising access to financial services.

The collaboration will also advance Mastercard’s vision to improve the lives of people by building pathways to financial security and access to critical services.

The Azure cloud environment will serve as the native infrastructure for Mastercard Labs’ inclusion efforts and support Mastercard Community Pass - a platform that pulls together complex ecosystems and provides underserved communities with access to education, agriculture marketplaces and basic healthcare.

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