Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on EntrepreneurshipJim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship
Sector AgnosticPre-seedIdeation

Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship

8-month virtual fellowship for African students & grads with training, mentors, stipend and pitch funding.

Organizer: Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Queen’s University
Deadline: December 15, 2025
Categories: Training & Learning, Incubator
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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

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.