Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship – Africa

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship in Africa is currently open for applications. This fellowship opportunity is designed to empower African students and recent graduates by providing them with training, resources, financial support, and mentorship to cultivate their entrepreneurial skills and kickstart their own business ventures. The program spans 8 months and focuses on developing a strong entrepreneurial skill set and mindset to drive both social and financial impact.
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Eligibility
To be eligible you must meet following criteria:
- Eligibility for this program is open to students and recent graduates from any academic background and from African post-secondary institutions.
- Whether you are already working on a business endeavor or seeking to initiate a new one, they are here to support you.
- They are particularly interested in individuals who are dedicated to nurturing their entrepreneurial mindset and making the most of the resources available to build their own enterprises.
- The program is conducted online, allowing participants to complete it at their own pace, but those who are most committed are expected to invest at least 10 hours per week. To advance through the program’s phases, participants need to submit assignments online, adhering to strict deadlines.
- The program’s content is delivered in English, and mentorship can be provided in both English and French. Assignments and pitches must be in English, but individuals who cannot speak or write English are still encouraged to apply.
- They have the option to form teams with someone who can fulfill the English language requirements.
- Additionally, prospective fellows can collaborate with their local university to devise a strategy for accessing university resources that can assist them in overcoming language-related challenges.
Benefits
The program values participants who show a strong desire to learn, take calculated risks, and fully commit to making the most of the resources offered by their innovation center.
Outstanding Training
- Participants receive a comprehensive business bootcamp led by Queen’s University faculty and experienced industry leaders with extensive backgrounds in entrepreneurship and executive leadership.
- The program employs the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a well-established step-by-step approach for developing scalable startups, originally created at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Pitch coaching and mastery are provided to help participants refine their presentation skills.
- Live workshops on various topics, such as marketing, goal setting, and recruitment, are conducted throughout the program.
- Successful completion of courses can lead to the opportunity to earn micro-credentials in Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University.
Mentorship and Training
- Fellows have the chance to connect with mentors and speakers who are prominent figures in innovation and entrepreneurship in North America.
- Access to a vast global network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni is granted.
- Participants become part of a cohort consisting of thousands of like-minded students and recent graduates from across Africa.
- In the final phase of the program, fellows are paired with industry leaders and entrepreneurs, receiving valuable feedback at crucial startup milestones.
Financial Support and Opportunities
- Up to 60 fellows, selected in the final phase, receive a stipend of $500 CAD.
- Opportunities are presented for participants to pitch their ideas in a competition at the end of the program, with prizes of up to $15,000 CAD at stake.
- There are also opportunities to visit the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre, fostering lasting connections that can significantly benefit their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Inclusivity
- The program believes that it excels when addressing challenges from a variety of perspectives.
- Their commitment is to remove barriers to entrepreneurship and make the program as inclusive as possible for a wide range of individuals.
- They continually refine and enhance the courses based on the needs and feedback of the participants.
Application Process
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Theme | : Financial Support |
Applicant Country | : WorldWide |
For more information | : Queen's University |