Deadline: March 20, 2026.

The third application drive for the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) program is now open. FAST supports and empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing enterprise support and connecting participants to business development training and a supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors. FAST is a partnership of the Mastercard Foundation with CCHub Nigeria, MDF Global, Concree, Scale up, Savannah Innovations Lab, the Center for Enterprising Organizations, Inkomoko, and the Africa Leadership Academy (ALA).

The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) program is
designed to support the entrepreneurial efforts of young people who have graduated from
one of the following programs:

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• African Leadership Academy (ALA)
• Anzisha Prize
• Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the FAST program, the (proposed or established) business must be:

• A for-profit business (Not-for-profit entities do not qualify for FAST)
• Majority owned by Alumni of at least one of these four programs: Mastercard Foundation
  Scholars Program, African Leadership Academy (ALA), Anzisha Prize, Young African
  Leaders Initiative (YALI)
• Located in one of the qualifying countries (Please check the Application Form for the full
  list of countries).
  During this period, FAST funding is not awarded to businesses that are owned or co-owned by
  anyone who will be older than 35 years of age by the completion of the program (which may
  extend into Q1 2027).

BENEFITS

1. If your application is successful, you will receive a combination of grant funding and various
   business supports based on the implementing partner’s assessment of your needs.
   Selected young entrepreneurs may receive funding tailored to their enterprise needs.
2. In the Build Stream, participants can receive an average of USD $12,500 (up to USD $15,000), while
   in the Idea Stream, participants can receive an average of USD $3,000 (up to USD $5,000).
   Final amounts will be determined by the implementing partner based on specific business
   needs.
3. The support you receive will be appropriate to the “stage” of your business, whether it is in the
   “idea” or “build” stage. These supports include mentorship, networking, peer-to-peer learning,
   business development training, and access to shared services such as lawyers and
   accountants. You will be expected to allocate time and effort to attend the required activities
   and sessions throughout the program.

APPLICATION

Please complete the Application Form: Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE