Tag Archives: Virtual

JIM LEECH MASTERCARD FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Application Deadline: December 4, 2024

LOCATION: Canada

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 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 building their own venture. 

ELIGIBILITY:

The program accepts students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines, and from any African post-secondary institution. Whether you are already working on a business or looking to start something new, they can help you.

The program is looking for participants who are committed to developing their entrepreneurial mindset and taking advantage of the resources provided to develop their own enterprise. The program is delivered virtually and can be completed at any pace, however, the most committed participants will commit at least 10 hours per week. In order to progress through the program phases, participants will submit assignments online, adhering to strict deadlines.

The program content is delivered in English.

Mentorship may be offered in English and French. Assignments and pitches must be completed in English. Prospective fellows who are unable to speak or write English are still encouraged to apply and form teams with someone who can fulfill all the requirements of the program in English.

Prospective fellows may also work with their local university to come up with a strategy to make sure they are able to access university resources that will help them navigate the challenge related to language ability.

BENEFIT:

Business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders who bring decades of combined entrepreneurship and C-Suite experience

The Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven step-by-step framework for scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pitch coaching and mastery

Live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting are held throughout the program

Opportunity to earn micro-credentials on Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University for successful completion the courses

Mentorship and Networking:

Liaise with mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship in North America

Access a Global Network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni

Join a cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent grads from across Africa

Fellows are matched to industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final phase of the program

Receive feedback at important startup milestones

Financial Support and Opportunities:

Up to 60 Fellows will be selected in the final phase to receive a stipend of $500 CAD

Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the pitch competition at the end of the program

Opportunities to travel to the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre to build lasting connections that will help you further your business venture

APPLY

BECAUSE ACCELERATOR ENTREPRENEUR ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

Application Deadline: 26 January, 2024

LOCATION: Virtual

The Because Accelerator is an entrepreneur accelerator program designed for early- to middle-stage businesses with a manufactured, physical product. Applicants to the accelerator should be prioritizing job creation in communities impacted by poverty and be able to show potential for future impact through a clear vision.

ELIGIBILITY:

Anyone with a socially innovative product is encouraged to apply for our business accelerator. Entrepreneurs in the restaurant, entertainment, education, software, food or service industries are not eligible.

Entirely free

Completely digital platform

16 week cohort

4–6/hr weekly commitment

Post-cohort support

The startup accelerator program is uniquely focused on increasing your revenue growth trajectory during the cohort and creating a plan for sustained growth beyond. The trainings cover the following concepts:

Entrepreneurial mindset

Developing a marketing and sales plan

Revenue ops and pricing strategy

E-commerce

Customer service and retention

Upon completion, entrepreneurs will have a written business plan, a polished pitch ready to share with potential investors, progress towards or completion of a next level goal and an opportunity to participate in an annual pitch competition.

BENEFIT:

TRAINING

A 16-week, online curriculum covers topics common to startups and illustrated by Because International’s experience with our own social enterprise startup, The Shoe That Grows.

COACHING

After the first four weeks, select entrepreneurs will be matched with an experienced coach who will mentor them during the program and beyond.

NETWORKING

Entrepreneurs network with members of their cohort, alumni of the Because Accelerator and the Because Advisor Network—a group of subject matter experts with connections worldwide.

FUNDING

At the end of the cohort, select entrepreneurs will compete in a pitch event for a cash prize. As a result of this competition, we’ve linked entrepreneurs to over $100k in funding.

APPLY