Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship

They provide participants who demonstrate a willingness to learn, take risks, and commit themselves fully with the best that our innovation centre has to offer.

1. Best In Class Training

• Business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders who bring decades of combined entrepreneurship and C-Suite experience
• The Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven step-by-step framework for scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Pitch coaching and mastery
• Live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting are held throughout the program
• Opportunity to earn micro-credentials on Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University for successful completion the courses

2. Mentorship and Networking

• Liaise with mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship in North America
• Access a Global Network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni
• Join a cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent grads from across Africa
• Fellows are matched to industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final phase of the program
• Receive feedback at important startup milestones

3. Financial Support

• Up to 60 Fellows will be selected in the final phase to receive a stipend of $500 CAD
• Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the pitch competition at the end of the program
• Opportunities to travel to the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre to build lasting connections that will help your further your business venture

Eligibility

They welcome students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines and any post-secondary institution in Africa. Whether you’re already building a business or just exploring a new idea, this program will help you take the next step.

They seek participants who are:

• Committed to developing their entrepreneurial mindset

• Ready to make the most of the program’s resources and mentorship

• Willing to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to their entrepreneurial journey

Language and Accessibility

• Program content is delivered in English

• Mentorship may be offered in English and French

• Assignments and pitches must be completed in English

Applicants who are not fluent in English are still encouraged to apply. You can:

• Form a team with someone who can meet the English-language requirements, or

• Work with your university or local organizations to access language support and resources.

For more information and application.