About the opportunity
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is an 8-month program designed to give African students and recent graduates the opportunity to access training, resources, financial support, and a network of mentors to develop entrepreneurial skills and bring their ideas to life. Structured across three progressive phases—Explore, Ignite, and Launch—the program takes participants from initial concept formation to building, testing, and scaling a venture using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework. The program accommodates diverse needs by offering mobile-friendly coursework, downloadable content, screen-reader compatibility, and language support for French-speaking learners.
Funding and benefits
- Business bootcamp delivered by Queen's University faculty and industry leaders
- Training based on the MIT Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework
- Pitch coaching, live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting, and the opportunity to earn Queen's University micro-credentials
- Mentorship and networking with North American and global innovation leaders, entrepreneurial alumni, and industry experts
- A $350 USD stipend for Fellows selected into the final incubation phase
- Opportunities to pitch for seed prizes ranging from $3,500 to $15,000 CAD in pitch competitions
Who can apply?
- Open to students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines and any post-secondary institution in Africa
- Applicants can be at the idea stage or already building a business
- Willingness to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to the entrepreneurial journey
- Must be able to meet assignment deadlines to advance through program phases
- Program content and pitches are in English, but non-fluent applicants may apply by forming a team with an English speaker or working with local organizations for language support
Required documents
- Application form submitted via the online portal
When to apply
- Applications close on December 1, 2026
How to apply
- Access the official application link on the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre portal
- Complete and submit the application form by the December 1, 2026 deadline
Additional information
- The program is fully virtual and operates across an 8-month cycle divided into Explore (January-February), Ignite (March-April), and Launch and Fellowship (May-August) phases.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- African students and recent graduates at any stage of business development, from early conceptual ideas to active startups.
- Individuals seeking a structured, rigorous curriculum grounded in the MIT Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework.
- Founders looking for dedicated coaching, structured milestones, and access to an international network of mentors and investors.
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires a minimum weekly time commitment of 10 hours over an 8-month duration alongside strict adherence to assignment deadlines.
- While mentorship is supported in French, core assignments, coursework, and pitches must be completed in English.
- Stipends and seed funding opportunities are competitive and concentrated in the final fellowship and pitch stages.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship acts as a powerful catalyst for aspiring African entrepreneurs who want to transform abstract business concepts into validated, scalable ventures. It suits participants aiming to build practical market testing skills, secure non-dilutive seed funding or stipends, and connect with a robust continental and global entrepreneurial network without leaving their home regions.
Our take
African students and recent graduates with entrepreneurial ambitions and the capacity to dedicate consistent weekly time should strongly consider applying. It is less suitable for individuals unable to commit 10 hours per week or those lacking access to basic internet and communication channels for virtual coursework.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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