Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 Hive Colab Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, with the submission deadline set for 5th February 2026. This prestigious fellowship is a collaborative initiative between Hive Colab and the Mastercard Foundation aimed at accelerating the growth of EdTech ventures in Uganda that have already demonstrated traction and are positioned to scale effectively and responsibly.
This Fellowship is specifically created to spur entrepreneurial growth within promising African EdTech startups. Delivered through a network of innovation hubs and accelerators across Africa, the program offers participating ventures essential support across business development, financial management, and learning science application. Over the next five years, Hive Colab, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, will oversee the implementation of this Fellowship in Uganda, emphasizing sustainable and responsible scaling that enhances access to quality education for underserved communities.
Eligibility Criteria
The Fellowship is seeking applications from Ugandan EdTech ventures that are locally established and led, operating at a growth stage. Key qualifications include:
- The venture must be founded and led by Ugandan nationals, with leadership and decision-making firmly based in Uganda.
- The venture should be at a growth stage, meaning it has a functional product, proven market traction, and is poised to scale both its service delivery and social impact sustainably.
- Applications from women-led enterprises and founding teams with diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to foster inclusive innovation.
What the Fellowship Offers
Selected participants will benefit from a comprehensive package designed to accelerate their growth and amplify their impact, including:
- Equity-Free Funding: Up to $70,000 USD in catalytic funding aimed at enabling ventures to scale inclusively and prepare for expanded delivery.
- Structured Curriculum: A hands-on fellowship program tailored to address the execution challenges, learning outcomes, and sustainability concerns of growth-stage EdTech ventures.
- Personalized Mentorship: One-on-one support from seasoned experts familiar with the nuances of education delivery and scaling ventures.
- Strategic Partnerships and Market Access: Assistance in building networks and connecting with ecosystem players and institutions for potential collaborations and growth opportunities.
- Learning Science and Impact Measurement: Guidance to help ventures accurately assess educational outcomes and reinforce evidence-based practices.
- Investor Preparedness and Advisory: Support to enhance governance structures, storytelling capabilities, data metrics, and strategies for securing long-term capital investment.
How to Apply
If your venture meets the criteria and you are ready to take the next step towards scaling impactful EdTech solutions in Uganda, you can submit your application by following this link: Click here. The application deadline is 5th February 2026, so be sure to apply promptly.
For additional details on the program, eligibility, and selection process, please Visit the Official Webpage of the Hive Colab Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship.
