The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is an 8-month, fully virtual program hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen’s University. It is designed for African students and recent graduates who want to develop entrepreneurial skills, refine problem-solving ideas, and begin building impact-focused ventures.
Program Overview
- Program name: Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship
- Host institution: Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre, Queen’s University (Canada)
- Audience: African students and recent graduates from any post-secondary institution and academic discipline
- Format: Fully virtual, part-time, with self-paced components and fixed assignment deadlines
- Duration: 8 months, structured into three main phases plus graduation
- Core focus:
- Developing an entrepreneurial mindset and practical startup skills
- Turning ideas that address pressing social and economic challenges into early-stage ventures
- Combining social and financial impact
Who Can Apply
- Eligible participants:
- Current students at African post-secondary institutions (all disciplines)
- Recent graduates from African post-secondary institutions
- Stage of idea or venture:
- Suitable for those already working on a startup
- Open to individuals exploring new entrepreneurial ideas
- Time commitment:
- Willingness to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to program activities and venture development
- Key attributes sought:
- Commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset
- Readiness to leverage available resources, training, and mentorship
- Openness to feedback, experimentation, and iteration over the 8-month cycle
Language and Accessibility
- Program language:
- Core content and materials delivered in English
- Mentorship:
- Mentorship may be available in English and French, depending on mentor availability
- Assignments and pitches:
- Must be completed and submitted in English
- Support for non-fluent English speakers:
- Option to form a team with a member who can meet the English-language requirements
- Participants are encouraged to seek support from their university or local organizations for language assistance and resources
Program Structure and Timeline
- Phase 1: Explore (January–February)
- Participants: 1000+ selected candidates
- Focus: Early-stage exploration and problem validation using the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework
- Guiding questions:
- Who is the customer?
- What problem is being solved for them?
- Key milestones:
- Conduct interviews or other observations to understand end users
- Clearly define and validate the core problem
- Confirm or challenge key assumptions behind the proposed solution
- Generate multiple solution ideas (ideation)
- Map the end user’s journey/experience using the proposed solution
- Phase 2: Ignite (March–April)
- Participants: 180+ finalists selected based on performance and commitment in Phase 1
- Focus: Business model development, channels, and prototyping
- Guiding questions:
- How will end users discover and access the solution?
- How will the venture be funded or become financially sustainable?
- Key milestones:
- Develop channels and partnerships needed to reach end users
- Create a business model or funding strategy for the solution
- Build a simple prototype that allows for meaningful end-user feedback
- Design experiments to test critical assumptions and gather data through the prototype
- Pitch step:
- Participants present their ideas and progress, competing for a place as Fellows in the final phase
- Phase 3: Launch and Fellowship (May–August)
- Participants: Up to 60 Fellows selected from Phase 2
- Program activities:
- Participation in DDQIC’s summer incubation program
- Access to structured venture-building support, including weekly “3-2-1” pitch presentations to track progress
- Opportunity to transform ideas into scalable startups
- Support provided:
- Seed funding opportunities
- A $500 stipend for Fellows
- Dedicated coaches and mentors from DDQIC’s global network of experts and entrepreneurs
- Access to a pitch competition for additional seed funding
- Graduation (August) & Post-Program Engagement
- Completion:
- Fellows conclude the incubation program at the end of August
- Ongoing support:
- Continued access to post-incubation services, networks, and pitch competition opportunities
- Opportunities for high-performing Fellows to serve as ambassadors or mentors in future fellowship cohorts
- Completion:
Program Benefits
- Entrepreneurial training and resources:
- Structured curriculum built around the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework
- Curated online courses and practical tools tailored to early-stage ventures
- Milestone-based learning that ties theory directly to real venture development
- Mentorship and coaching:
- Access to experienced coaches and mentors from diverse industries
- Practical guidance on business models, product development, and scaling
- Support from a peer community of entrepreneurs across African universities
- Financial and venture support:
- Seed funding opportunities during the incubation phase
- $500 stipend for Fellows in Phase 3
- Access to a final pitch competition with additional seed funding and in-kind support
- Flexible and accessible structure:
- Fully virtual design enabling participation from across the African continent
- Self-paced learning elements combined with defined assignment deadlines
- Built to accommodate busy students and early-stage founders while still requiring meaningful weekly engagement
Measurable Outcomes and Impact
- Program performance indicators (recent cohorts):
- 84% of 2023 participants reported that their ventures had hired at least one youth since joining the program
- 97% of 2022 Fellows rated the program as “very” or “extremely” helpful in advancing their venture
- 100% increase in participants with paying users or customers between the start and end of the program
- Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Sample Ventures and Fellow Highlights
- DMB Translation Services (Uganda)
- Social enterprise developing affordable, modern assistive technologies for persons with disabilities
- Founded by a Fellow motivated by the challenges faced by people with walking disabilities
- Recipient of significant cash and in-kind support through DDQIC pitch competitions
- Strictly Diabetic (Zimbabwe/South Africa)
- Venture focused on helping individuals with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar at minimal cost
- Offers an online community and structured 28-day program to support long-term health behavior change
- Awarded substantial prize funding and pro bono brand consulting
- Canva Soap (Uganda)
- Produces liquid and bar soap for communities with limited access to health and hygiene products
- Aims to mitigate health risks linked to poor hygiene
- Recognized with pitch competition funding and support
- Kwela Brews (South Africa)
- Provides homebrewers of traditional African beer with a low-cost brewing machine and safe, affordable ingredients
- Addresses safety, quality, and efficiency in traditional brewing processes
- Supported through summer pitch competitions and program mentorship
- Additional alumni stories:
- Ventures addressing eco-friendly products, inclusive footwear, clean energy alternatives, and FinTech solutions for SMEs and the informal sector
- Several Fellows moving on to secure fellowships, research opportunities, speaking engagements, and leadership roles in their respective sectors
Additional Notes and Resources
- Fraud alert advisory:
- Queen’s University has issued a specific advisory regarding fraud targeting international students; prospective applicants are encouraged to review official guidance directly on the university’s website.
- Frequently asked questions:
- A dedicated FAQ section is available via Queen’s University and DDQIC to clarify application procedures, eligibility details, and program logistics.
- Location of organizing centre:
- Rose Innovation Hub, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
This fellowship sits at the intersection of skills development, venture incubation, and impact, offering African students and recent graduates a structured pathway to explore, test, and grow early-stage entrepreneurial ideas. Interested individuals can find current application details, deadlines, and official information directly through the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre and Queen’s University online channels.