The 2026 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is a transformative, 8-month, fully virtual program designed to empower young African innovators, students, and recent graduates to develop entrepreneurial skills, launch scalable ventures, and drive social and economic change across the continent.
The Fellowship, hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen’s University, Canada, provides world-class training, mentorship, and financial support to help participants turn ideas into thriving, sustainable businesses.
This prestigious program is completely free to participants and offers direct mentorship from global industry leaders, pitch coaching, and access to a worldwide network of entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers. The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship was created to equip the next generation of African leaders with the tools to become job creators, innovators, and agents of change who can drive inclusive growth on the continent.
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Program Overview
The 2026 Fellowship will run for 8 months, blending self-paced online learning, live virtual workshops, and interactive mentorship sessions. Participants will gain the opportunity to:
- Learn directly from Queen’s University faculty and C-suite executives with decades of entrepreneurship and leadership experience.
- Master the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, developed at MIT, a globally recognized step-by-step process for launching scalable startups.
- Attend live workshops on marketing, team building, goal setting, business modeling, and fundraising.
- Compete for cash prizes up to $15,000 CAD during the final pitch competition.
- Join a network of thousands of fellows and alumni from across Africa, building powerful international collaborations.
- Earn micro-credentials in entrepreneurship, certified by Queen’s University, recognizing mastery of key startup competencies.
Program Benefits
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship offers a comprehensive package of benefitsto nurture entrepreneurial growth and leadership potential among young Africans.
1. World-Class Entrepreneurship Training:
- Access to a business bootcamp facilitated by Queen’s University faculty and industry experts.
- Exposure to MIT’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, proven to turn early ideas into viable, revenue-generating startups.
- Modules on business strategy, marketing, financing, leadership, and innovation management.
2. Personalized Mentorship
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and business coaches from North America and Africa.
- Fellows are paired with mentors during the final phase to receive targeted feedback and personalized guidance.
3. Global Networking Opportunities
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- Join a vibrant international community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals.
- Access a global alumni network of Queen’s entrepreneurs and Mastercard Foundation Fellows.
4. Financial Support
- Up to 60 Fellows selected for the final phase will receive a $500 CAD stipend.
- Top teams will pitch for prizes up to $15,000 CAD during the final pitch competition.
- Selected Fellows may travel to Queen’s Innovation Centre in Canada, to build long-term connections and expand their ventures.
5. Entrepreneurial Recognition
- Earn Queen’s University micro-credentials in Entrepreneurship upon successful completion of program modules.
- Recognition as a Mastercard Foundation Fellow, joining an elite network of changemakers across Africa.
Name Of Organizer
Queen’s University, Canada and Mastercard Foundation
Requirements/ Eligibility
Applicants for the 2026 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship must meet the following criteria:
1. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of an African country.
2. Academic Status: Open to students and recent graduates from any accredited African university, polytechnic, or college.
3. Field of Study: Applicants from all disciplines are encouraged to apply — whether in technology, business, agriculture, health, or the creative industries.
4. Entrepreneurial Interest: Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to developing their entrepreneurial mindset and building their own ventures.
5. Commitment Level: Must be able to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to the program.
6. Language: Program content is delivered in English. Mentorship may be offered in both English and French.
- Assignments and pitch submissions must be completed in English.
- Applicants with limited English proficiency are encouraged to team up with English-speaking peers.
7. Accessibility: Fellows may work with their local university for additional support on language or access resources.
8. Mode of Delivery: Fully virtual and accessible across Africa with no cost to participants.
Duration/stipends
- Duration: 8 Months (January – August 2026)
- Mode: Fully Online (Virtual)
- Stipend: Up to $500 CAD for top 60 Fellows
- Prize Pool: Up to $15,000 CAD in competition prizes
- Certification: Micro-Credentials from Queen’s University
- Cost: Free (Zero Fees)
Deadline
4th December,2025.
Apply Now
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