2024 Fund for Alumni Startups in Transition (FAST) Program by Mastercard

  •  Master
  •  15-Sep-2025
  •   Africa
  • $$  $15,000

The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with CCHub Nigeria, MDF Global, Concree, Scale up, Savannah Innovations Lab, the Center for Enterprising Organizations, Inkomoko, and the Africa Leadership Academy (ALA), is excited to announce the launch of the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) program.

The Mastercard Foundation FAST program will support and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing up to $15,000 in support for each venture.

The program, open to aspiring entrepreneurs or those in the early stages of their entrepreneurship journey, offers a unique opportunity for alumni from the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), African Leadership Academy (ALA), Anzisha Prize, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Participants will gain access to funding, business development training, and a supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the FAST program, the (proposed or established) business must be… 

  • A for-profit business (Not-for-profit entities do not qualify for FAST) 
  • Majority owned by alumni of at least one of these four programs: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, African Leadership Academy (ALA), Anzisha Prize, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). 
  • Located in one of the qualifying countries (please check the Application Form for the full list of countries).

Offered Benefits

The Mastercard Foundation FAST program will provide support in two key stages to assist entrepreneurs at different points in their journey:

  • Idea Phase: Up to $5,000 to help develop and refine initial ideas.
  • Build Phase: $10,000 to $15,000 to transform the ideas into viable business models.

Application Process

Go to Mastercard Foundation on mastercardfdn.org to apply
Apply Here
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