Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Entrepreneurship Fellowship
Jim Leech Fellowship: The application is currently open for the 2024 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation fully sponsored entrepreneurship fellowship program for Africans. Eligible and suitable qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. This fellowship may be the stepping stone you’ve been seeking if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur trying to up your game.
About the Mastercard Foundation Entrepreneurship Fellowship Program
This Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation 8-month program is designed to foster the entrepreneurial spirit, with the goal of producing individuals capable of creating both social and financial impact. The fellowship is more than just an intellectual exercise; it provides participants with the confidence, resources, expertise, networking opportunities, and, most importantly, financial support to make their company ambitions a reality.
Table of Content
About the Entrepreneurship Fellowship
Benefits of the Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship
Eligibility Requirements for the Fellowship
Brief Program Details
Sponsor(s): Mastercard Foundation
Type: Entrepreneurship
Award Value: Full Sponsorship | Grant
Number of Awardees: Not Specified
Eligible Countries: Africans
Application Deadline: 4 December 2023
Full Benefit and Offer of the Mastercard Foundation Entrepreneurship Training
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation entrepreneurs fellowship program provides successfully selected candidates with the following offers:
- Best in-Class Training
- Business bootcamp steered by the revered faculty of Queen’s University and industry stalwarts amassing decades of entrepreneurial experience.
- Adoption of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework — a methodical approach to scalable startups straight from the corridors of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Expert guidance in pitching and exhaustive live workshops centred around marketing, goal establishment, and talent acquisition.
- Earn micro-credentials in Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University upon successful course completion.
- Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
- Engage with a galaxy of mentors and speakers who are at the forefront of North American innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Tap into the vast Global Network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni.
- Be part of a thriving community of ambitious African students and graduates.
- Enjoy the privilege of being paired with industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs during the programme’s concluding phase.
- Receive invaluable feedback during critical startup phases.
- Financial Backing & Opportunities
- A select group of 60 exemplary fellows will be rewarded with a stipend of $500 CAD during the final phase.
- The chance to pitch for prizes amounting to $15,000 CAD in the concluding pitch competition.
- Opportunities to journey to the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre, fortifying connections that can potentially transform your business aspirations.
- Commitment to Inclusivity
- The fellowship prides itself on its dedication to inclusivity, continuously innovating to ensure the programme is accessible to the widest possible audience.
Eligibility Requirements of the Mastercard Foundation Fellowship
If you’re an African student or a recent graduate, fuelled by an ambition to address critical issues and breathe life into innovative entrepreneurial ideas, this programme is tailored for you. The journey comprises three online courses that cover:
- Fundamentals of entrepreneurship
- Virtual coaching sessions
- Facilitation business idea development
Participation Requirements
It’s a progressive structure, with participants needing to showcase their dedication and commitment to move from one course to the next.
students and recent graduates from any African academic institution across all disciplines can apply. Whether you’re nurturing a budding business or are on the verge of kickstarting a new venture, this fellowship can assist.
The content is delivered virtually, allowing flexibility in pacing, yet a commitment of at least 10 hours per week is expected for a fruitful experience. Participants need to regularly submit assignments online, adhering to stringent deadlines. Furthermore, while the programme’s primary language is English, provisions have been made to accommodate non-English speaking participants, ensuring no one is left behind.
Programme Phases
- Phase 1 – Explore Entrepreneurship: January 2024 – February 2024
- Phase 2 – Ignite Entrepreneurship: March 2024 – April 2024
- Phase 3 – Launch Entrepreneurship: May 2024 – August 2024
Application Procedure
Interested and suitable qualified candidates should click the apply button below to apply.
Visit the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Official Webpage for More Details