The Legatum Center at MIT Foundry Fellowship 2024 for Young African Entrepreneurs is now accepting applications.
By uniting African entrepreneurs who share a vision for a continent where people, ideas, and resources flow across national boundaries and where ecosystems support the growth and success of innovation-driven businesses, The Foundry Fellowship exemplifies this belief. This network is essential to changing the perception of Africa to one of opportunity, plenty, creativity, and vibrancy.
For successful entrepreneurs who are dedicated to spearheading the acceleration and interconnectivity of Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, the Foundry Fellowship is an eight-month, life-changing opportunity. The fellowship is intended for leaders with integrity who want to spur inclusive growth and systemic change throughout Africa.
ELIGIBILITY
The fellowship is open to Africa-based entrepreneurs who have: 1) founded?and scaled?a for-profit, innovation-driven company, AND 2) who are now at an inflection point and are preparing to transition into leadership in one of the following ways:
- By transitioning from running your innovation-driven enterprise to taking on a new leadership role within the ecosystem; for example, you may be launching a venture capital fund, starting an accelerator, or pursuing a path in policymaking;
- By founding a venture or support organization that will specifically help build innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems across Africa;?or
- By expanding your innovation-driven enterprise across the continent, and through that expansion, focus on ecosystem development to reach your growth goals.
APPLICATION DETAILS
The application includes:
- Personal demographic information and contact information;
- Details about your role as a founder and your company;
- Essay questions?on your interest in the Fellowship program, questions about your role as an ecosystem builder, and what entrepreneurial leadership means to you;
- A?resume?outlining?your?educational background, professional experience, leadership positions held, and community engagement;
- A?2-minute?video?(in English), summarizing the key points of your application, and;
- Two?letters of recommendation?from people who know you as co-founder, mentor, board member, or senior manager in your company (note: you are responsible for giving recommenders sufficient time to complete the recommendation letters before the application deadline).
KEY DATES
- May 17: The application period opens.
- June 30: The application period closes.
- July-August: Interviews with Legatum Center staff, community, and Foundry Fellow alumni.
- September: Acceptance letters sent; commitments made.
- October: Orientation (virtual).
- November: Africa ecosystem tour (location TBD; approximately one week of travel).
- January/February: Africa ecosystem tour (location TBD; approximately one week of travel).
- April/May: US ecosystem tours (first location TBD; second location will be Boston/Cambridge; approximately two weeks of travel) and fellowship celebration event.
Deadline: June 30, 2024
Click HERE to Apply
