The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship offers African students and recent graduates the chance to access valuable training, mentorship, financial support, and resources to develop their entrepreneurial skills. This fellowship provides participants with an opportunity to pitch their business ideas, with the potential to win up to $15,000 and receive a stipend of $500 by the end of the program.
This guide breaks down the details and application process for the fellowship.
Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Summary
- Host: Mastercard Foundation
- Category: Competitions
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Reward: $15,000 Cash Prize | Training | Mentorship
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: December 4, 2024
Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Details
This fellowship is structured to help entrepreneurs manage the intensive training schedule while providing access to experienced coaches and mentors who offer practical advice for growing their businesses.
Eligibility Requirements for Jim Leech Fellowship 2025
To apply, candidates must:
- Be current students or recent graduates from any academic discipline at any African post-secondary institution.
- Be actively working on a business or intending to start one.
- Be committed to developing their entrepreneurial mindset and leveraging the provided resources to grow their venture.
- The program is conducted virtually and can be completed at any pace, though participants are encouraged to dedicate at least 10 hours weekly. Assignments must be submitted online by strict deadlines.
- The program is delivered in English, but mentorship may be available in English and French. Non-English speakers are encouraged to team up with someone fluent in English to meet the program’s language requirements.
- Participants can work with their local universities to access resources that will help them succeed, despite any language barriers.
Benefits of Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship
- Business Bootcamp: Delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders with extensive experience.
- Entrepreneurship Framework: Learn the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, developed at MIT, to build scalable startups.
- Pitch Coaching: Gain mastery of pitching through expert coaching.
- Workshops: Attend live sessions on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting.
- Micro-Credentials: Earn entrepreneurship credentials from Queen’s University upon course completion.
Mentorship and Networking
- Connect with mentors and speakers from North America who lead innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Access Queen’s University’s global entrepreneurial alumni network.
- Join a cohort of like-minded entrepreneurs across Africa.
- Be matched with industry leaders and receive feedback during key startup milestones.
Financial Support and Opportunities
- Up to 60 fellows in the final phase will receive a $500 CAD stipend.
- Participants can pitch for cash prizes of up to $15,000 CAD.
- Fellows may have the chance to visit the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre to build connections that will benefit their ventures.
How to Apply for Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship (Step-by-Step Process)
To apply:
- Visit the fellowship’s official webpage and follow the application instructions.
- The deadline for the 2025 cohort is December 4, 2024.
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