Legatum Center 2021 Fellowship 2021 for African Founders

The Legatum Center at MIT presents the Foundry Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind leadership program for Africa-based founders who have scaled innovation-driven companies and find themselves at an inflection point in their entrepreneurial journey. The Foundry is a place where Fellows reflect on their entrepreneurial journey, rethink their future leadership roles as entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, and renew their commitment to building entrepreneurship and innovation-led ecosystems. 

Launching in 2021, the Foundry Fellowship will bring together leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to bringing about change through entrepreneurship and are ready to build the leadership skills to carry them into the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey. 

The Fellowship is open to entrepreneurs from Africa who have founded and scaled for-profit innovation-driven companies on the African continent, with a preference for entrepreneurs operating in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda.

• Table of Content
• About Legatum Center
• Legatum Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Legatum Fellowship
• Requirements for Legatum Fellowship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Legatum Center

The Legatum Center was founded on the belief that entrepreneurs and their market-driven solutions are critical to advancing economic and social progress in the developing world. While global prosperity has increased in recent decades, the progress is uneven, with the worst deprivations concentrated in specific parts of the globe. The Center drives more inclusive prosperity by building pathways for the next generation of change agents who, through principled entrepreneurial leadership, will create good jobs, transform systems, and improve lives. Our supporters include the Legatum Grou... continue reading

Legatum Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Legatum Fellowship

The Foundry Fellowship is a fully-funded six-month program.

Fellows will complete an interactive curriculum designed to:

• Increase their leadership acumen; 
• Explore pathways to impact as entrepreneurs, policymakers, thought leaders, and investors;
• Exchange practical knowledge with MIT faculty and students; and, 
• Engage in multi-stakeholder networking opportunities in the MIT ecosystem.

The learning journey will culminate in a three-week in-person immersive program in which Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with MIT faculty, investors, thought leaders, and policy influencers. This immersive experience will give Fellows insight into how to design cutting-edge programs, implement practices, and create policies that are transferable to their markets. Fellows will also have the opportunity to showcase their ventures and lessons in innovation with MIT faculty, staff, and students.

Requirements for Legatum Fellowship Qualification

The inaugural cohort will include 15 entrepreneurs from Africa. Fellows will be identified through a selective application and nomination process.

Candidates should have a demonstrated history of impact, commitment, and concrete connection to the region and have already achieved considerable success with their ventures. 

• Have?founded?and scaled a for-profit innovation-driven company* on the?African continent, with a preference for founders of companies with operations in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda;? 
• Applicants who have founded and scaled a company outside of Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, or Uganda should have a demonstrated interest in supporting economic growth in at least one of the aforementioned seven countries; 
• Are at an inflection point in their entrepreneurial journey and are considering the next phase; 
• Are?prepared to?dedicate time and space for their own self-discovery?and leadership development?to achieve the next milestone;?? 
• Are?able to?participate in?regular online sessions and cohort activities,?from September 2021 through March 2022 (note: additional time is required for?readings and exercises); and,? 
• Are able to commit to?a three-week?in-person?session in April 2022.? 
• 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.
• MIT alumni and current degree candidates are welcome to apply.?  

*Innovation-driven companies are based on a technology or process innovation that allows them to scale across regional and global markets. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The Legatum Center is accepting nominations and applications from interested entrepreneurs.

Nominees will receive an invitation to complete the application process. A nomination does not guarantee acceptance, nor is it required to apply. Eligible entrepreneurs may submit an application without a nomination. Nominations must be submitted by May 20, 2021.

Applicants, including nominees, must submit a complete application before the application submission deadline on June 10, 2021, at 11:59 PM EDT. The application includes the following components: 

• 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; 
• A resume outlining your educational background, professional experience, leadership positions held, and community engagement;
• A 3-minute video essay [prompt provided in the online application form] and;
• Two letters of recommendation. 

Applications will be reviewed by a committee and Finalists will be invited to participate in a panel interview.  

Nominate a Candidate

Apply for the Foundry Fellowship

For more details, visit Legatum Center website.