Mastercard introduced Dreamonomics, a new global view of the forces reshaping small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) perceptions and approach to growth.
The research shows that SMEs are redefining growth as controlled momentum: 68% prioritize stability and predictability over fast growth, 54% actively avoid unnecessary financial risk, and 61% are focused on deepening customer relationships rather than reaching as many customers as possible.
"Small businesses bring the dream; Mastercard brings the infrastructure to help propel, protect and power that dream,” says Mark Barnett, global head of small and medium enterprises at Mastercard. “Dreamonomics shows that business owners are not choosing between ambition and caution — they are looking for growth that is more predictable, more protected, and easier to manage. Our strategy is built around helping SMEs propel their dreams, protect against risk, and power their payments — connecting insights, tools, and solutions that support the daily realities of running a business while helping owners prepare for what comes next."
Key takeaways:
· 68% of SMEs now prioritize stability and predictability over fast growth, while 54% say they actively avoid unnecessary financial risk.
· 61% of SMEs would rather build deep customer relationships than reach as many customers as possible.
· SMEs already use five digital business tools on average, 89% want to adopt more and 78% say integrated tools are critical, making simplification a growth issue, not just an operational one.
· 71% of SMEs prioritize protection from cyber threats, yet only 37% use cybersecurity tools today; 70% are excited about AI’s potential, especially in fraud and security protection (41%).
· 74% of SMEs in Latin America value stability and predictability over fast growth, including 76% in both Argentina and Brazil.
· 67% of European SMEs prioritize work that supports their health, relationships and personal life, underscoring the value of tools that reduce operational friction.
· 63% of SMEs in Asia Pacific prioritize work that supports health, relationships and personal life, while 76% of SMEs in Indonesia prioritize stability and predictability.
· 43% of SMEs in the Middle East and Africa use AI or machine learning tools to automate workflows and 42% use cybersecurity tools, the highest of any region; SMEs in the region are also more than twice as likely to use emerging payment methods alongside cards and bank transfers, including cryptocurrency (15%) and stablecoins (8%), compared with the global average.
· Business card adoption is strongest in North America, where 51% use business cards exclusively (compared to 46% globally). With 59% of business card users interested in premium solutions and 40% already using them, small business owners are looking for payment tools that can do more.
