CcHub & Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program 2025 For Education-Focused Startups In Africa: Apply Now!

About the CcHub & Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program

The CcHub and Mastercard Foundation have joined forces to launch the EdTech Fellowship Program 2025, an initiative tailored to empower educational technology startups across Africa. This partnership is a key step towards revolutionizing education on the continent by equipping startups with the necessary tools to create impactful and scalable solutions that enhance learning outcomes and ensure equitable access to quality education.

Through this program, selected startups will receive equity-free funding, access to expert mentorship, opportunities to network with investors, and strategic resources to refine and expand their products. The initiative aims to address critical challenges in education, from student learning and school management to teacher effectiveness and access to education.

Eligibility Criteria for the CcHub & Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program

To be eligible for this program, startups must meet the following criteria:

Geographic Focus:
- Startups must be Africa-focused and incorporated in Nigeria.
- Solutions should aim to address pressing educational challenges across the African continent.
Solution Relevance:
- The proposed solutions must specifically tackle challenges in one or more of the following areas:
  - K-12 education.
  - Higher education.
  - Vocational skills training.
Educational Impact:
- Startups should have verifiable users and demonstrate alignment with key focus areas:
  - Improving access to education.
  - Enhancing student learning outcomes.
  - Strengthening school management systems.
  - Increasing the effectiveness of teachers or trainers.
Team Composition:
- Teams must be well-balanced, showcasing diverse skills and expertise in education and technology.
- The program encourages applications from startups with female founders or co-founders, emphasizing the importance of gender diversity in innovation.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Alignment with Program Goals:
- The solution must directly address the key focus areas of the fellowship program.
Impact and Engagement:
- Evidence of user adoption, engagement, and measurable impact is critical. Startups should provide data or case studies to validate their solution’s effectiveness.

Team Expertise and Passion:
- The startup’s team should demonstrate a deep commitment to education and a strong capability to address complex educational challenges through innovation.
Scalability and Innovation:
- The solution should have a clear path for scalability and the potential to transform the education sector across Africa.

Benefits of the CcHub & Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program

The fellowship provides an array of benefits designed to support the growth and success of participating startups:

Funding:
- Startups will receive $100,000 in equity-free funding during the program to fuel their development and scaling efforts.
Expert Support:
- Access to a multidisciplinary team of experts in design, product development, and technology optimization.

Investor Network:
- Exposure to a vast network of investors eager to support transformative educational solutions.
Specialized Resources:
- Access to exclusive deals and discounts from partnered tools and service providers.
Marketing and Growth Support:
- Tailored assistance in refining marketing strategies to ensure the product achieves market fit and reaches its target audience effectively.

How to Apply

Interested startups should begin their application process by visiting the official application portal. Before submitting, applicants are advised to ensure all eligibility criteria are met and provide detailed information about their solutions and impact. The deadline to apply for the program is January 31, 2025.

By participating in the CcHub & Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program 2025, startups will gain access to a wealth of resources and opportunities, empowering them to make a lasting impact on education in Africa.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY