Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship (8-month, virtual) equips African students and recent graduates with entrepreneurship training, mentorship, CAD-$500 stipends for up to 60 Fellows and pitch prizes to scale socially impactful startups. Learn eligibility, benefits, timeline, how to apply, FAQ and outcomes.
Overview | Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is an 8-month, cohort-based entrepreneurship development program designed for African students and recent graduates who want to turn ideas into ventures that generate social and economic impact. Delivered in partnership with Queen’s University and hosted by the Rose Innovation Hub / DDQIC, the Fellowship combines self-paced online learning, live workshops, mentorship, micro-credentials, seed stipends and a competitive pitch process that awards significant prize funding to high-potential teams.
The program follows a three-phase model — Explore, Ignite, Launch & Fellowship — that guides participants from problem discovery through prototyping to market launch and scaling. The Fellowship prioritizes inclusivity, practical skills (Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework), and measurable impact across SDGs such as Decent Work (SDG 8), No Poverty (SDG 1) and Good Health (SDG 3).
Detailed Sections
Program Structure & Curriculum
- Duration: 8 months (three phases: Explore → Ignite → Launch & Fellowship).
- Delivery: Fully virtual with live seminars, downloadable content, cohort workshops, and one-on-one coaching. Mentorship offered in English and in some cases French.
- Core curriculum: Disciplined Entrepreneurship (MIT framework), business bootcamps led by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders, pitch coaching, marketing, recruitment, financial sustainability and prototyping.
- Assessment & credentials: Micro-credentials and digital badges from Queen’s University (blockchain-verified IDs) awarded on course completion.
Program Phases (What Fellows Do)
- Explore (January–February) — open training for 1,000+ candidates: customer discovery, problem validation, interviews, journey mapping and initial idea development.
- Ignite (March–April) — ~180 finalists advance: build business models, test channels, prototype and validate assumptions; internal pitches determine fellowship selection.
- Launch & Fellowship (May–August) — up to 60 Fellows receive incubation support, CAD-$500 stipend, weekly coaching, seed opportunities and entry to the final pitch competition (prizes up to CAD-$15,000).
Mentorship & Network
- Fellows are matched with experienced mentors and industry leaders from Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni and partner networks.
- Access to a global alumni community and ongoing post-incubation support, including ambassador and mentor pathways for high performers.
Inclusivity & Accessibility Features
- Gender-inclusive recruitment (historical cohorts report 55% women participation).
- Offline-friendly learning (downloadable assets), low-bandwidth content, French language support for mentorship, mobile-friendly coursework, and screen-reader compatible materials for visually impaired learners.
- Open credentials (free digital badges with blockchain verification).
Eligibility
- Target group: Students and recent graduates from any African post-secondary institution. “Recent graduate” defined per program rules (check application page for exact timing).
- Academic background: All disciplines welcome — entrepreneurial mindset and commitment more important than specific degree.
- Commitment: Willingness to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to coursework and milestones.
- Language: Program content delivered in English. Mentorship may be available in French. Applicants not fluent in English may apply as part of a team or with university/local support for language assistance.
- Practicals: Fully virtual participation required; ability to meet online deadlines and attend scheduled live sessions where applicable.
Benefits
- Training & Credentials: Business bootcamp, Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, micro-credentials from Queen’s University.
- Mentorship & Network: One-to-one coaches, industry mentors, and access to Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni network.
- Financial support: Up to 60 Fellows receive a CAD-$500 stipend during the Launch phase; finalists compete for pitch prizes up to CAD-$15,000.
- Post-program support: Continued incubation services, pitch opportunities, and pathways to serve as ambassadors/mentors in future cycles.
- Practical impact: Proven outcomes — cohort reports show higher customer acquisition, job creation and sustainable revenue growth among participants.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Prepare materials: Updated CV, short statement of intent (why you want the Fellowship), and a concise description of your idea or venture (problem, target customer, early evidence).
- Form a team (optional): If language support is a concern, apply as part of a team that includes English-proficient members. Teams are allowed where noted.
- Register: Visit the official Fellowship application page (search “Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship application”) and complete the online form.
- Phased selection: Applicants who pass Phase 1 milestones (explore) are invited to Ignite; top performers in Ignite progress to Launch & Fellowship.
- Prepare for pitching: Selected finalists will undergo pitch coaching and must be ready to present prototypes/early traction for pitch competitions.
- Acceptance & onboarding: If selected as a Fellow, complete onboarding requirements to receive stipend and coaching assignments.
Note: Application deadlines and exact document requirements change between cycles. Always confirm dates and instructions on the official program page before applying.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Program name | Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship |
| Target audience | African students & recent graduates (all disciplines) |
| Duration | 8 months (Explore → Ignite → Launch & Fellowship) |
| Delivery | Fully virtual; live workshops + downloadable content |
| Cohort size | Up to 60 Fellows (final incubation cohort) |
| Stipend | CAD-$500 for selected Fellows |
| Prize funding | Pitch competition prizes up to CAD-$15,000 |
| Credentials | Queen’s University micro-credentials (blockchain ID) |
| Languages | English (content); mentorship may be offered in French |
| Accessibility | Low-bandwidth options, downloadable materials, assistive formats |
| Outcomes | Training, mentorship, seed funding, alumni network |
| Apply via | Official program application page (Queen’s University / DDQIC / Rose Innovation Hub) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q — Who should apply?
A — Students and recent graduates across Africa who are committed to building ventures with social and/or financial impact and who can dedicate time to the program’s milestones.
Q — Is prior business experience required?
A — No. The program accepts beginners and early-stage founders. Motivation, progress through milestones, and commitment matter most.
Q — What are the language requirements?
A — Program content is in English. Mentorship availability in French is sometimes offered. Non-English speakers may join teams or seek institutional language support.
Q — How many winners receive prize funding?
A — Prize amounts are awarded at the final pitch competition; top prizes may reach CAD-$15,000. Exact number of prize winners varies by cycle.
Q — Do Fellows receive equity or give up ownership if they take seed awards?
A — Fellowship seed prizes are typically grants or competition awards. Check the official terms on the program page for specific funding conditions for each cycle.
Q — Are there travel components or in-person requirements?
A — The core program is fully virtual. Any optional in-person events, networking trips or exchanges will be announced by the program and may be subject to separate terms.
Q — How competitive is the program?
A — The Fellowship is selective. Thousands may enter the Explore stage; roughly 180 advance to Ignite and up to 60 are awarded full Fellowship support.
Q — Will Fellows get continued post-program support?
A — Yes — alumni receive post-incubation support, mentoring, and may be invited to serve as ambassadors or future mentors.
Conclusion
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is a high-impact, inclusive pathway for African students and recent graduates to build venture-grade skills, access mentorship, earn verifiable credentials, receive modest stipends and compete for seed funding. Its structured Disciplined Entrepreneurship curriculum, proven mentorship model and strong alumni outcomes make it a compelling opportunity for early-stage founders and aspiring entrepreneurs across Africa.
If you plan to apply, prepare a concise problem statement, evidence of early user interviews or traction, and a clear availability plan to meet the program’s 10+ hours/week commitment. Verify deadlines and application instructions on the official Fellowship page before submission.
