The fellowship is designed for principled leaders who seek to catalyze systems transformation and inclusive growth across Africa.

The fellowship is a cohort-based program, with 10-15 fellows accepted into the cohort each year. Going through the fellowship as a cohort gives fellows the supportive context to move beyond current inflection points to define the next stage in their entrepreneurial and leadership journeys. The small number of fellows in each cohort, the emphasis on a selective profile, and the unique curation of the curriculum, leads to a learning environment that is highly supportive for deep transformation

The curriculum includes personal leadership seminars, coursework with MIT faculty, and experiential tours of innovation ecosystems as a cohort, including tours of multiple ecosystems on the African continent. Together, this unique program prepares fellows to lead initiatives that accelerate the development of ecosystems both within their home markets and throughout the continent.

Eligibility Criteria

• The fellowship is open to Africa-based entrepreneurs who have:
  • founded and scaled a for-profit, innovation-driven company, AND
  • 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.
  • 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.

Fellowship Requirements

• Applicants should be aware of the considerable commitment that the Foundry Fellowship requires, in both time and attention.
• As a Foundry Fellow, your commitment to your personal objectives, your cohort, and the next generation of innovation-driven entrepreneurs across Africa is essential to your success. The Center asks that you seriously consider the following program requirements before applying:
  • 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.
  • Attending all Foundry Fellowship online sessions and in-person meetings.
  • 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.
  • Participating fully in all sessions by giving your full attention to the participants and discussion.
  • Presenting the next steps you will take after completing the Foundry Fellowship program to your peers and other supporters of the fellowship.

For more information, visit MIT Sloan School of Management.