Scholarship Overview
Program 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. Hosted 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 their entrepreneurial skills and build scalable ventures.
The program follows MIT’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven step-by-step methodology for building scalable startups. Participants progress through three distinct phases—Explore, Ignite, and Launch—each designed to move them from idea validation to venture creation.
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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 developed at MIT
- Pitch coaching and mastery sessions
- Live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting
- Micro-credentials in Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University upon successful 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 critical startup milestones
Financial Support
- Up to 60 Fellows selected in the final phase receive a stipend of $500 CAD
- Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the final pitch competition
Program Timeline and Structure
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, including customer interviews, problem validation, and solution ideation.
Phase 2: Ignite (March–April)
180+ finalists advance based on outstanding commitment and milestone achievement. They complete additional courses, finish the remaining Disciplined Entrepreneurship steps, and pitch their ideas to compete for fellowship selection. Key activities include developing market channels, creating business models, prototyping solutions, and validating critical assumptions through experiments.
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Phase 3: Launch and Fellowship (May–August)
Up to 60 Fellows join DDQIC’s summer incubation program. They receive a USD 350 stipend, dedicated coaches and mentors, and participate in weekly pitch presentations. Fellows pilot their solutions, generate customer interest, and create scaling plans. The phase culminates in a pitch competition for additional seed funding.
Graduation (August)
Fellows complete incubation and gain access to post-incubation services, ongoing support, and future pitch competition opportunities. High-performing Fellows may serve as ambassadors and mentors for future cohorts.
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Who Can Apply
The fellowship welcomes students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines and any post-secondary institution in Africa. Whether you are already building a business or just exploring an idea, the program supports your next step.
Ideal Candidates
- Committed to developing an entrepreneurial mindset
- Ready to maximize program resources and mentorship
- Willing to dedicate at least 10 hours per week
- Prepared to meet assignment deadlines to advance through phases
Language and Accessibility
Program content is delivered in English. Mentorship may be offered in English and French. Assignments and pitches must be completed in English. Applicants not fluent in English may form teams with English-proficient partners or seek language support through their university or local organizations.
The program actively removes barriers to entrepreneurship through:
- Downloadable content for participants with limited internet access
- Language support for French-speaking learners
- Mobile-friendly coursework and lower-resolution pre-recorded lessons
- Screen-reader-compatible content for visually impaired learners
- Free digital badges and certificates with Blockchain ID verification
Program Outcomes and Impact
DDQIC evaluates program effectiveness through interviews and surveys:
- 84% of 2023 participants reported their venture hired at least one youth since starting the program
- 97% of 2022 Fellows found the program “very” or “extremely” helpful for advancing their venture
- 100% increase in participants with paying users or customers from pre-program to post-program
The program addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Notable Alumni Ventures
Recent Fellows have built impactful enterprises across Africa:
- Feathered Fortune (Uganda): Layer poultry farm producing affordable eggs; awarded $7,000 CAD
- Route 360 Solutions (Rwanda): Manufactures eco-bricks from recycled plastics; awarded $6,000 CAD
- Nana Enterprise (Uganda): Produces Irish potato crisps and flour, creating income for farmers; awarded $4,500 CAD
- Larva Nova (Ethiopia): Converts organic waste to protein-rich animal feed; awarded $4,500 CAD
- Rentpilot Kenya (Kenya): Prop Tech platform automating rental management; awarded $4,500 CAD
- MkulimaLink (Tanzania): Mobile platform connecting smallholder farmers to buyers; awarded $3,500 CAD
How to Apply
Applications are not currently open. Interested candidates should sign up on the program website to be notified when applications launch. There is no published application deadline at this time.
Before applying, review the Frequently Asked Questions page for detailed information about the application process and program requirements.
Fraud Alert
Queen’s University has issued an advisory about fraud targeting international students. Verify all communications through official channels and report suspicious contact to the fellowship team.
Official scholarship page: https://www.queensu.ca/innovationcentre/programs/jim-leech-mastercard-foundation-fellowship-entrepreneurship
