Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2024 for Africans on Entrepreneurship

  •  Master, Fellowship
  •  04-Dec-2023
  •   Canada
  • $$  Varies

Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is back with its 2024 edition, presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for African students and recent graduates. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking to elevate your game, this fellowship might be the stepping stone you’ve been waiting for.

Designed to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit, this 8-month program is set to refine the skillset of future leaders, aiming to produce individuals who are capable of driving both social and financial impact. Not merely an academic exercise, the fellowship ensures participants are endowed with confidence, resources, knowledge, networking opportunities, and crucially, the financial backing to translate their startup dreams into reality.

Queen's University Information

Queen's University Grants

Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2024 for Africans on Entrepreneurship Founded in 1841, Queen's University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Kingston (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Ontario. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Ontario, Queen's University (QU) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 20,000-24,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Queen's University (QU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 178 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 40-50% making this Canadian higher education organization a averagely selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

Eligibility Criteria

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 in business idea development

It’s a progressive structure, with participants needing to showcase their dedication and commitment to move from one course to the next.

tudents 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.

Offered Benefits

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Application Process

Go to Mastercard Foundation on queensu.qualtrics.com to apply
Apply Here
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