Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is an intensive 8-month virtual program designed for African students and recent graduates who want to solve pressing problems through entrepreneurship. Delivered by Queen’s University’s Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), the fellowship provides training, resources, financial support, and mentorship to help participants develop entrepreneurial skills and build scalable ventures.
The program uses the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven step-by-step methodology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for building scalable startups.
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What the Fellowship Covers
Training and Education
- Business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders with decades of combined entrepreneurship and C-Suite experience
- Complete Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework training
- Pitch coaching and mastery sessions
- Live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting
- Micro-credentials on Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University for successful course completion
Mentorship and Networking
- Access to mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship in North America
- Global network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni
- Cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent graduates from across Africa
- Matching with industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final program phase
- Feedback at important startup milestones
Notable mentors include Christine Kamala (Christie’s Crisp), Kora Sabi Janvier (Allo Veto), Oluwasegun Oluwaleti (Water Boy), and Duncan Asamoah (Mr. Neat Company).
Financial Support
- Up to 60 Fellows selected in the final phase receive a $500 CAD stipend
- Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the final pitch competition
Program Structure and Timeline
The fellowship runs over 8 months with three distinct phases:
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Phase 1: Explore (January–February)
1,000+ candidates receive access to curated online entrepreneurship courses and work through the first 11 steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework. Participants demonstrate commitment by completing training and progressing on their venture milestones.
Key focus: Customer identification, problem validation, solution ideation
Phase 2: Ignite (March–April)
180+ finalists advance based on outstanding commitment and milestone achievement. They complete additional courses and the remaining steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, culminating in a pitch competition.
Key focus: Market channels, business model development, prototyping and testing
Phase 3: Launch and Fellowship (May–August)
Up to 60 Fellows enter DDQIC’s summer incubation program with:
- Weekly 3-2-1 pitch presentations
- USD 350 stipend (note: this appears to be a separate amount from the CAD $500 mentioned elsewhere)
- Dedicated coaches and mentors from DDQIC’s Global Network
- Seed funding competition
Key focus: Solution execution and scaling
Graduation (August)
Fellows complete incubation and join DDQIC’s alumni network for ongoing post-incubation support, pitch competition opportunities, and potential roles as ambassadors and mentors for future cohorts.
Who Can Apply
The fellowship welcomes:
- Students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines
- Applicants from any post-secondary institution in Africa
- Those already building a business or just exploring a new idea
Ideal Candidates
- Committed to developing an entrepreneurial mindset
- Ready to maximize program resources and mentorship
- Willing to dedicate at least 10 hours per week
Language and Accessibility
- Program content delivered in English
- Mentorship may be offered in English and French
- Assignments and pitches must be completed in English
- Non-fluent English speakers may form teams with English-proficient partners or seek language support through their university
Inclusivity Features
The program actively removes barriers to entrepreneurship:
- Gender inclusion: 55% of participants identified as women; flexible learning opportunities increased female retention by 30% between Explore and Ignite phases
- Limited internet access: Downloadable content and lower-resolution pre-recorded lessons
- French speakers: Language support provided
- Visually impaired learners: Screen-reader-compatible content
- Mobile-friendly: Coursework optimized for mobile devices
- Free credentials: All Queen’s University digital badges and certificates provided at no cost with Blockchain ID verification
- Personalized support: Every participant paired with a program coach and access to 15+ mentors
Program Outcomes
DDQIC tracks program impact through interviews and surveys:
- 84% of 2023 participants reported their venture hired at least 1 youth since starting the program
- 97% of 2022 Fellows found the program “very” or “extremely” helpful for their venture
- 100% increase in participants with paying users or customers from pre-program to post-program
Sustainable Development Goals
The fellowship primarily addresses:
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Success Stories
Recent 2026 Fellows and their achievements include:
- Natamba Evalyne (Uganda): Feathered Fortune — $7,000 CAD prize for affordable egg production
- Joseph Turay (Rwanda): Route 360 Solutions — $6,000 CAD for eco-bricks from recycled plastics
- Chelimo Nasta (Uganda): Nana Enterprise — $4,500 CAD for potato value-added products
- Edom Getnet Melak (Ethiopia): Larva Nova — $4,500 CAD for Black Soldier Fly protein feed
- Olando Erick Opiyo (Kenya): Rentpilot Kenya — $4,500 CAD for rental management platform
- Basuta Milanzi (Tanzania): MkulimaLink — $3,500 CAD for farmer-buyer connection platform
Alumni ventures like Hya Bioplastics have scaled dramatically, with one raising $125,000 in investments, grants, and awards after receiving initial DDQIC seed funding.
How to Apply
Applications are not currently open. Interested candidates should:
- Visit the official program webpage
- Sign up for notifications when applications launch
- Review the Frequently Asked Questions page for detailed guidance
- Prepare to demonstrate commitment to the entrepreneurial process
Important: Queen’s University has issued a fraud alert targeting international students. Verify all communications through official channels.
Important Notes for Zimbabwe and SADC Applicants
While the program accepts applicants from across Africa, Zimbabwean and SADC region candidates should note:
- The program is fully virtual, eliminating travel barriers
- Mobile-friendly coursework supports areas with limited broadband
- Downloadable content allows offline study during connectivity interruptions
- English proficiency requirements may be met through team formation if individual fluency is developing
Official scholarship page: https://www.queensu.ca/innovationcentre/programs/jim-leech-mastercard-foundation-fellowship-entrepreneurship
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships