Application deadline: December 4, 2022.
Jim Leach Mastercard Foundation Scholarship in Entrepreneurship It gives African students and recent graduates the opportunity to access training, resources, financial support and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start their ventures. This 8-month program develops exceptional leadership skills and mindsets for social and financial impact.
requirements
- this Jim Leach Mastercard Foundation Scholarship It accepts students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines and from any African post-secondary institution. Whether you’re already working on a business or looking to start a new one, we can help.
- The fellowship is looking for participants who are committed to developing their entrepreneurial mindset and using the resources provided to develop their company. The program is offered virtually and can be completed at any pace, but the most committed participants will commit to at least 10 hours per week. In order to progress through the program, participants submit assignments online and meet strict deadlines.
- The content of the program is provided in English. Guidance may be provided in English and French.
Benefits of the program
Best in class training
- A business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders who bring decades of combined entrepreneurial and C-Suite experience.
- The Disciplined Entrepreneurship Framework, a proven step-by-step framework for scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Coaching and dominating the field
- Live workshops on marketing, goal setting and recruiting will be held throughout the program
- The opportunity to earn a junior degree in entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University for successful completion of courses.
Coaching and networking
- Connect with North America’s leading innovation and entrepreneurship educators and speakers
- Access the global network of Queen’s Entrepreneurship alumni
- Join a group of thousands of like-minded students and recent graduates from across Africa
- Fellows are matched with industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final phase of the program
- Get feedback on key launch milestones
Financial Support
- Up to 60 finalists will be selected to receive a 500 CAD grant.
- Opportunities to compete for prizes of up to CAD$15,000 at the end of the program
- Opportunities to travel to Queen’s Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Center to make lasting connections that will help your business venture.
Schedule of the program
Phase 1: Exploration (January-February)
More than 1,000 exceptional candidates access a catalog of online entrepreneurship courses and work through the first 11 steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship Framework workbook. Candidates have several months to demonstrate their commitment to the entrepreneurial process by completing training and progressing through the milestones of their ideas.
Phase 2: Burning (March-April)
More than 180 finalists with outstanding commitment to the entrepreneurial process, who will excel at the milestones established in Phase One, will be selected to join this phase. Under this phase, they continue to take another list of additional online entrepreneurship courses and complete the remaining steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship Framework workbook. At the end of this phase, participants pitch their ideas and compete for grants, and the most advanced and promising business ideas become finalists who receive the grant.
Phase 3: Launching and Participation (May-August)
Up to 60 members will be selected to join the DDQIC Summer Incubation Program. During this phase, fellows will have the opportunity to work on their ideas, access seed funding, and participate in weekly 3-2-1 presentations on the work they do and turn their ideas into scalable startups. . In addition, Fellows will receive a $500 stipend and dedicated mentors and coaches from DDQIC’s global network of industry experts and entrepreneurs. Fellows will have the opportunity to compete in a land race for additional funding at the end of the program.
Graduation (August)
Startup entrepreneurs (Fellows) will complete their incubation program at the end of August. After graduation, fellows will continue to receive post-incubation services, support and competitive opportunities as part of the DDQIC network.
High-performing fellows are also invited to serve as ambassadors and mentors for future Jim Leach MasterCard Foundation Scholarships.
For more information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Mastercard Jim Leach Foundation Scholarship Program 2023
