JIM LEECH MASTERCARD FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2026/2027

About

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is an 8-month virtual venture development program delivered by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen’s University in Canada. It equips African university students and recent graduates with entrepreneurial training, business mentorship, seed funding, and pitch competition opportunities to launch scalable startups.

Eligibility — verbatim from the source

Citizen of an African country Current student enrolled in a post-secondary institution or a recent graduate (within the past 5 years) Open to all academic disciplines and institutions across Africa Open to candidates with a new startup concept or an early-stage existing business Ability to complete virtual courses, assignments, and presentations in English (mentorship available in English and French) Ability to commit at least 10 hours per week and possess reliable internet access

Requirements

What you get

• 8-month phased curriculum covering idea validation, prototyping, financial modeling, and venture launch
• Official entrepreneurship micro-credentials awarded by Queen's University upon milestone completion
• Up to 60 fellows selected for the final Launch stage receive a CAD $500 stipend
• Eligibility to compete for up to CAD $15,000 in seed prizes at the final pitch competition
• 1-on-1 access to North American and African industry leaders, C-suite mentors, and Queen’s global alumni network

Important dates

• Deadline: Dec 1, 2026

Location

Nigeria