Legatum Center at MIT Foundry Fellowship for African Entrepreneurs 2024 -25

Deadline:30th June 2024

The Foundry Fellowship is an eight-month, transformative experience for accomplished entrepreneurs who are committed to leading the acceleration and interconnection of Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

The fellowship is designed for principled leaders who seek to catalyze systems transformation and inclusive growth across Africa. Applicants choose to apply to the fellowship for the following reasons:

1) They have had success in scaling an innovation-driven business,

2) They are at an inflection point in their leadership journeys, AND

3) They are seeking to identify ways to support the growth and evolution of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems across Africa.

The fellowship is a cohort-based program, with 10-15 fellows accepted into the cohort each year. Going through the fellowship as a cohort gives fellows the supportive context to move beyond current inflection points to define the next stage in their entrepreneurial and leadership journeys. The small number of fellows in each cohort, the emphasis on a selective profile, and the unique curation of the curriculum, leads to a learning environment that is highly supportive for deep transformation.

The curriculum includes personal leadership seminars, coursework with MIT faculty, and experiential tours of innovation ecosystems as a cohort, including tours of multiple ecosystems on the African continent. Together, this unique program prepares fellows to lead initiatives that accelerate the development of ecosystems both within their home markets and throughout the continent.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to Africa-based entrepreneurs who have: 1) founded and scaled a for-profit, innovation-driven company, AND 2) who are now at an inflection point and are preparing to transition into leadership in one of the following ways:

1. By transitioning from running your innovation-driven enterprise to taking on a new leadership role within the ecosystem; for example, you may be launching a venture capital fund, starting an accelerator, or pursuing a path in policymaking;

2. By founding a venture or support organization that will specifically help build innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems across Africa; or

3. By expanding your innovation-driven enterprise across the continent, and through that expansion, focus on ecosystem development to reach your growth goals.

Founders from the same company may apply, but each founder must complete a unique application. Each founder will be considered independent of a co-founder.

MIT alumni and current degree candidates are welcome to apply.

Application Details

The application includes:

• Personal demographic information and contact information;
• Details about your role as a founder and your company;
• Essay questions on your interest in the Fellowship program, questions about your role as an ecosystem builder, and what entrepreneurial leadership means to you;
• A resume outlining your educational background, professional experience, leadership positions held, and community engagement;
• A 2-minute video (in English), summarizing the key points of your application, and;
• Two letters of recommendation from people who know you as co-founder, mentor, board member, or senior manager in your company (note: you are responsible for giving recommenders sufficient time to complete the recommendation letters before the application deadline).

Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation committee. Finalists will be invited to participate in at least one panel interview.

Application Process

1. Complete the online application here.
2. Record and upload your 2-min video.
3. Sign the application.
4. Ensure that your two letters of recommendation have been submitted before the application deadline of June 30, 2024.

For more information.