Gaborone, Botswana — Last month, the Ministry of Entrepreneurship extended its warmest congratulations to the 35 Botswanan entrepreneurs selected for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship for Entrepreneurship (JL MCF) 2024 cohort. This Fellowship, offered by the Dunin-Deshpande ³ÉÈË´óƬ Innovation Centre in Ontario, Canada, marks a significant step towards empowering these entrepreneurs as the driving force behind innovative solutions.
The 35 entrepreneurs comprising the 2024 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship cohort attended the event, which was supported by a consortium including the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, leadership from the University of Botswana, representatives from the UB Innovation Centre, and the Orange Botswana Foundation.
The recent meet-and-greet event in Gaborone signifies the commencement of this exciting journey for the 2024 cohort. Over the past two months, the entrepreneurs have been guided through a series of 10 core modules to build their entrepreneurial venture and then compete for a space intake in the second phase of the program, Ignite Entrepreneurship.
The event is emblematic of our collective commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship, fostering innovation, and advancing technology for sustainable socio-economic development. The formal gathering served as an invaluable platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to engage with key stakeholders, glean insights into the fellowship, and cultivate connections within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
In collaboration with esteemed partners such as the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, the University of Botswana, and Orange Botswana Foundation, the DDQIC played a pivotal role in disseminating insights and offering support to these aspiring problem solvers. Notably, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry underscored the pivotal role of socio-economic development, innovation, and technology in this transformative initiative. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Ms. Helen Chilisa, eloquently encouraged the entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity and pledged unwavering support throughout their journey. The fellowship promises exposure to mentors and speakers in innovation and entrepreneurship in North America, along with access to a global network through Queens’ entrepreneurial alumni.
This story underscores the significance of fostering entrepreneurship for socio-economic development, aligning with the mission of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship.
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The Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Our mission is to empower individuals with the skills and mindset to drive positive change in the world. For media inquiries or more information about our initiatives, please contact: innovation.centre@queensu.ca or visit our website: /innovationcentre/