Business
Branch and Mastercard® Research Finds Shifting Career Priorities, New Technology Fueling a Solopreneur Boom
Branch, an award-winning workforce payments platform, in partnership with Mastercard®, today released The Branch x Mastercard Solopreneur Report, a comprehensive study examining how evolving career aspirations and rapid technological innovation are reshaping small business ownership. Drawing from a survey of more than 1,400 solopreneurs across North America, the report highlights how advancements in AI, fintech, and digital financial platforms are enabling a new wave of seasoned professionals to
About this update from Mastercard Incorporated
[{"type":"text","content":"New data highlights how autonomy, flexibility, and digital innovation are redefining small business ownership and powering the rise of solopreneurs.","length":148,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Branch, an award-winning workforce payments platform, in partnership with Mastercard®, today released The Branch x Mastercard Solopreneur Report, a comprehensive study examining how evolving career aspirations and rapid technological innovation are reshaping small business ownership. Drawing from a survey of more than 1,400 solopreneurs across North America, the report highlights how advancements in AI, fintech, and digital financial platforms are enabling a new wave of seasoned professionals to build independent businesses that prioritize stability, purpose, and control.","length":621,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Solopreneurs, from creators and consultants to independent service providers, are rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the workforce","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Solopreneurs, from creators and consultants to independent service providers, are rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the workforce","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":231,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/4ecca0835cfefe53f10f65f2602fe456"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fg2e9QLoucpMnVEe51EqKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTQwNztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/4ecca0835cfefe53f10f65f2602fe456","width":400,"height":231}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2866834/Branch_Solopreneurs_Report.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"Solopreneurs, from creators and consultants to independent service providers, are rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the workforce. Many are leveraging emerging technology, personal expertise, and digital marketplaces to launch one-person ventures with the reach and sophistication of larger operations.","length":324,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""The rise of solopreneurship reflects a powerful shift in how people want to work," said Atif Siddiqi, Founder & CEO of Branch. "Professionals are using technology to build independent businesses ...