Is it possible to harness the entrepreneurial spirit in Africa, or is this just a pipe dream? What if there was a programme specifically designed for African students and recent graduates that would provide them access to unmatched resources, mentorship, and training? Such an opportunity is provided by the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2024. Discover its nuances, advantages, and the path to entrepreneurial brilliance by diving in.
Programme Overview
This eight-month programme, which seeks to develop future leaders’ leadership skillsets by encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset, aims to create people who can have both a positive social and economic impact. The fellowship makes sure that participants are equipped with the self-assurance, resources, expertise, networking opportunities, and, most importantly, the financial support to make their company ambitions a reality.
Who Can Apply?
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.
Core Benefits: What’s On Offer?
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.
See Also: 2023 Masters Scholarship from The MasterCard Foundation at McGill University
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.
Eligibility Criteria
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.
Application Process
Applications close on December 4, 2023, at midnight (local time).
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
For a deeper dive into the fellowship, visit the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship official webpage.
