Deadline: June 30, 2024.

The Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was founded on the belief that entrepreneurs and their market-driven solutions are critical to advancing sustainable prosperity across global growth markets. 

The Foundry Fellowship is an eight-month, transformative experience for accomplished entrepreneurs who are committed to leading the acceleration and interconnection of Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.   

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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:    

1. 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;   
2. By founding a venture or support organization that will specifically help build innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems across Africa; or 
3. By expanding your innovation-driven enterprise across the continent, and through that expansion, focus on ecosystem development to reach your growth goals.  
4. Founders from the same company may apply, but each founder must complete a unique application. Each founder will be considered independent of a co-founder.   
5. MIT alumni and current degree candidates are welcome to apply. 

BENEFITS/OTHER CONDITONS

The Center asks that you seriously consider the following program requirements before applying:  

1. Confirming your English language ability: The Foundry Fellowship programming is delivered in English; all fellows should feel comfortable communicating complex ideas in writing, and verbally, in English.  
2. Attending all Foundry Fellowship online sessions and in-person meetings: See the section below on key dates for a picture of the total time commitment. Typically, the fellowship program includes four ecosystem tours, each lasting between five and seven days. In the spring we combine two tours, bringing the total time away from work and home to about two weeks. 
3. Providing your own transportation to and from ecosystem tour locations and covering some of your travel expenses. Note that the fellowship program covers most costs associated with ecosystem tours, including hotels, group meals, group transport, etc.; however, fellows are responsible for their own flights to and from ecosystem tours as well as certain travel-related expenses.   
4. Participating fully in all sessions by giving your full attention to the participants and discussion. 
5. Presenting the next steps you will take after completing the Foundry Fellowship program to your peers and other supporters of the fellowship.

APPLICATION

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. 
• 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).  

Find more information on the OFFICIAL LINK