Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Entrepreneurship Fellowship 2027 for African Students and Graduates
Applications are now open for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027.
The 8-month fellowship provides African students and recent graduates with entrepreneurship training, mentorship, financial support and access to a global network to help them develop their entrepreneurial skills and turn innovative ideas into viable ventures.
The program is designed for young Africans who are passionate about solving pressing problems and building businesses that can create social and financial impact.
Participants will progress through three online courses covering the foundations of entrepreneurship, business idea development, virtual coaching and practical entrepreneurial skills. Successful participants will have the opportunity to advance through the different stages of the program and further develop their ventures.
The fellowship is delivered by the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen’s University (DDQIC) in collaboration with delivery partners across Africa.
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Benefits
Entrepreneurship Training
- Business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and experienced industry leaders.
- Training based on the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework developed at MIT.
- Pitch coaching and practical entrepreneurship training.
- Live workshops covering marketing, goal setting and recruiting.
- Opportunity to earn Queen’s University micro-credentials in Entrepreneurship upon successful completion of the courses.
Mentorship and Networking
- Connect with experienced entrepreneurs, innovation leaders and industry experts.
- Access a global network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni.
- Join a community of students and recent graduates from across Africa.
- Fellows in the final phase are matched with industry leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Receive feedback and guidance at key stages of developing your startup.
Financial Support and Opportunities
- Up to 60 Fellows will be selected in the final phase to receive a CAD $500 stipend.
- Opportunity to pitch for prizes of up to CAD $15,000 in the final pitch competition.
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Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an African country.
- Be currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution or have graduated within the past five years.
- Have a desire to solve pressing problems and develop an entrepreneurial idea.
- Be able to commit to completing all three phases of the online program if selected.
- Have reliable internet access and a device for participating in virtual sessions and completing online assignments.
Deadline: December 1, 2026