Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027 is an opportunity for African students and recent graduates who want to develop entrepreneurial skills, address pressing challenges and turn innovative ideas into ventures. The eight month fellowship provides participants with entrepreneurship training, virtual coaching, mentorship, networking opportunities and financial support as they progress through different stages of venture development.

The programme is delivered by the Dunin Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen’s University in Canada, known as DDQIC, in partnership with delivery organisations across Africa. It is designed to help emerging African entrepreneurs develop the mindset, knowledge and practical capabilities needed to create ventures that can generate social and financial impact.

The fellowship is particularly suitable for students and recent graduates who have an entrepreneurial idea or are already working on a business and want structured support to develop it further. Participants move through three online phases covering the foundations of entrepreneurship, development of their business idea and preparation for launching their venture.

About the Fellowship

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship was created to support young Africans interested in entrepreneurship and venture creation. Participants receive access to entrepreneurship courses developed through Queen’s University and learn through the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The programme combines structured online learning with coaching, workshops, mentorship and opportunities to receive feedback on business ideas. Participants who demonstrate commitment and complete the requirements can progress through the programme phases and gain access to additional opportunities.

The 2027 fellowship consists of three main phases:

• Phase 1: Explore Entrepreneurship, January to February 2027

• Phase 2: Ignite Entrepreneurship, March to April 2027

• Phase 3: Launch Entrepreneurship, May to August 2027

The programme is delivered virtually, allowing participants from different African countries to participate without relocating to Canada.

Fellowship Benefits

• Business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and experienced industry leaders

• Training based on the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework

• Pitch coaching and practical pitch development

• Live workshops covering marketing, goal setting and recruiting

• Opportunity to earn Queen’s University entrepreneurship micro credentials after successfully completing courses

• Virtual coaching throughout the programme

• Access to mentors and speakers from innovation and entrepreneurship communities in North America

• Access to a global network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni

• Membership in a large community of students and recent graduates from across Africa

• Matching with industry leaders and entrepreneurs during the final phase

• Feedback at important startup development milestones

• Up to 60 fellows selected in the final phase may receive a CAD $500 stipend

• Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to CAD $15,000 through the final pitch competition

• Potential opportunities to travel to the Dunin Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre for entrepreneurial connections and activities

Programme Areas

The fellowship focuses on practical entrepreneurship development, including:

• Entrepreneurship foundations

• Business idea development

• Problem identification and customer understanding

• Venture development

• Disciplined entrepreneurship

• Marketing

• Goal setting

• Recruiting and team development

• Pitch preparation

• Startup milestone development

• Social and financial impact

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of an African country

• Be currently enrolled in a post secondary institution or be a recent graduate within the past five years

• Come from any academic discipline

• Be enrolled at or have graduated from an African post secondary institution

• Have a desire to solve pressing problems and bring an entrepreneurial idea to life

• Be interested in developing an entrepreneurial mindset and building an enterprise

• Be able to commit to completing all three phases of the online programme if selected

• Have reliable access to the internet

• Have a device suitable for participating in virtual sessions and completing online assignments

Required Application Information

The current 2027 programme listing does not publish a detailed checklist of application documents. Applicants should therefore use the official Queen’s University application system and follow the instructions provided in the application form.

Applicants should be prepared to provide information relevant to their education, entrepreneurial interests and proposed business or venture idea, as requested by the official application portal.

The application itself is free. Queen’s University has previously warned applicants about fraudulent individuals requesting fees for this fellowship and confirmed that the Dunin Deshpande Innovation Centre and Mastercard Foundation do not charge an application fee.

How to Apply

1. Review the official Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship information from Queen’s University.
2. Confirm that you are an African citizen and meet the student or recent graduate requirement.
3. Develop or clarify the entrepreneurial idea or venture you want to work on during the fellowship.
4. Prepare the information requested in the official online application.
5. Submit your application through the official Queen’s University application system before the December 1, 2026 deadline.
6. If selected, complete the three programme phases and meet the requirements for progression.
7. Participate actively in the training, workshops, coaching, mentorship and venture development activities throughout the fellowship.