Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2024 for African Entrepreneurs

George Christian Boadi October 18, 2023 0

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is proud to announce its 2024 edition, a golden opportunity for African students and recent graduates aspiring to soar in the world of entrepreneurship. If you're eager to elevate your entrepreneurial game, this fellowship could be your ultimate stepping stone.

This intensive 8-month program is strategically designed to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in future leaders. The goal is to equip individuals with the skills and mindset to drive both social and financial impact.

This isn't just an academic endeavor; it's a journey that empowers participants with confidence, resources, knowledge, networking opportunities, and crucially, the financial support needed to turn startup dreams into reality.

About Mastercard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is dedicated to a world where everyone, regardless of their starting point in life, has an equal opportunity to learn and prosper. 

They believe that through access to education, financial services, and skills training, people can have that chance.

Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Jim Leech Fellowship

1. Best-in-Class Training:

   - Engage in a business boot camp led by the esteemed faculty of Queen's University and industry veterans with decades of entrepreneurial experience.

   - Adopt the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a systematic approach to scalable startups from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

   - Receive expert guidance on pitching, participate in live workshops covering marketing, goal setting, and talent acquisition.

   - Earn micro-credentials in Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen's University upon successful course completion.

2. Mentorship and Networking Opportunities:

   - Connect with a network of mentors and speakers at the forefront of North American innovation and entrepreneurship.

   - Tap into Queen's vast Global Network of entrepreneurial alumni.

   - Join a thriving community of ambitious African students and graduates.

   - Benefit from being paired with industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs during the program's final phase.

   - Receive invaluable feedback during critical startup phases.

3. Financial Support & Opportunities:

   - A select group of 60 outstanding fellows will receive a stipend of $500 CAD during the program's final phase.

   - Gain the opportunity to pitch for prizes totaling $15,000 CAD in the concluding pitch competition.

   - Unlock opportunities to visit the Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre, fostering connections that can transform your business aspirations.

4. Commitment to Inclusivity:

   - The fellowship is committed to inclusivity, continually innovating to make the program accessible to a wide audience.

Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Jim Leech Fellowship Qualification

This program is tailored for African students and recent graduates driven by a passion to address critical issues and breathe life into innovative entrepreneurial ideas. It involves three online courses covering:

- Fundamentals of entrepreneurship

- Virtual coaching sessions

- Business idea development facilitation

Participants from any African academic institution and all disciplines are encouraged to apply, whether you're nurturing a budding business or on the brink of launching a new venture. 

The content is delivered virtually, allowing flexibility in pacing, but a commitment of at least 10 hours per week is expected.

Program 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

Application Deadline

Don't miss out! The application deadline for Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2024 is December 4, 2023.

How to Apply

Ready to embark on your entrepreneurial journey? Visit the [Queen's University website](https://queensu.qualtrics.com) for more details and the application process. Your entrepreneurial dreams are one click away from reality.