Injini Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program 2024

Exciting news! Injini’s EdTech, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is inviting applications from qualified candidates for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program. This program is perfect for companies in South Africa that are using technology and innovation to tackle important education challenges. If you’re part of a high-growth, high-impact company aiming to make a difference in education, this fellowship is for you! Apply now for this incredible opportunity!

The Injini’s EdTech Fellowship Program is a 6-month opportunity that doesn’t take any equity from your company. It’s all about giving your venture a boost! The program is divided into three main areas, and it runs from May to October 2024. So, if you’re ready to accelerate your business and take it to the next level, this is your chance!

Fellowship Summary:

Fellowship Sponsor(s): Injini’s EdTech & Mastercard Foundation

Host Institution(s): The Injini’s EdTech

Fellowship Worth: Funded

Number of Awards: Several

Study Level: Startup founders and Senior Business Leaders

Nationality: All Nationalities

Requirements and eligibility criteria for Injini Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program 2024:

Targets a significant market opportunity in South Africa.
Offers a tech-based solution to enhance educational access and outcomes in South Africa, preferably focusing on pre-primary (ages 0-5), primary, and secondary education (ages 5-18), and/or teacher training.
A growth-stage startup with post-revenue status (expected annual revenue over R1,000,000). For non-profits, grant funding counts as revenue.
Has the potential to impact 8,000 direct learners within one year.
Led by a diverse team with a strong understanding of the local context. Particularly interested in supporting female founders and leadership teams.

EdTech Fellowship Objectives:

Facilitate market access, especially targeting learners in underserved communities.
Develop or enhance impact measurement, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
Enhance financial sustainability, including support for investment readiness where needed.

Here’s what each selected EdTech company, or “Fellow,” will receive through Injini’s specialized acceleration support in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation:

Hands-on support from specialists in education innovation, fundraising, impact monitoring and evaluation, commerce, and more.
Pedagogical evaluation and certification by EdTech Impact and Education Alliance Finland.
Customized market research support is provided by Injini’s team of education innovation researchers.
“Sponsored Skills” to quickly address team needs, produce targeted outputs, and enhance overall capacity for long-term business success with the assistance of external consultants.
Networking, knowledge-sharing, and learning opportunities with key ecosystem players and industry experts.
Access to a range of courses and office hours from faculty members at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute, a global leader in education technology and applied learning sciences.
Contribution to a growing body of evidence documenting effective strategies in African EdTech.
Equity-free venture funding exceeding R1,000,000.

Application Procedure for Injini Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program 2024 (How to apply);

Here’s what candidates can expect during the application and selection process:

Round One – Application Form Submission:
Eligible EdTech founders or business leaders can apply online.
Round Two – Virtual Interviews:
The top 25 EdTech companies will have virtual interviews with the Injini team.
Round Three – Due Diligence:
Shortlisted applicants will provide additional information for further evaluation.
Round Four – Pitches:
18 EdTech companies will pitch their solutions to the Injini selection committee in Cape Town on March 26 and 27, 2024.

Notification of Successful and Unsuccessful Candidates:

Candidates will be notified of their status by March 28, 2024.

Program Onboarding and Contracting:

Successful candidates will onboard and finalize contracts by April 1, 2024.

Cohort Kick-off Event:

The final 12 selected South African EdTech companies will present at an exclusive event in Cape Town on April 11, 2024.
Note: Injini will cover travel costs to and from Cape Town for one person per company residing elsewhere in South Africa.

Application Deadline: February 13, 2024

For more information visit the official website