Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2: Equity-Free Grants and 12-Month Business Support for Education Technology Startups

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2 is an opportunity for locally founded and locally led education technology (EdTech) ventures in Uganda to strengthen their businesses, improve digital learning solutions, and expand access to inclusive, high-quality education. Implemented by Hive Colab in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the fellowship is designed to support early-revenue, growth-stage, and scaling EdTech enterprises that use technology to address educational challenges and improve learning outcomes.

Applications are open to eligible EdTech ventures that are already operating in Uganda and have moved beyond the idea or pre-revenue stage. Selected ventures will benefit from a 12-month fellowship programme featuring tailored business support, mentorship, coaching, technical assistance, market access opportunities, and investment readiness support. In addition, successful applicants will receive a catalytic, milestone-based, equity-free grant to support business development and growth.

The programme also provides up to 24 months of post-acceleration support, helping participating ventures pursue sustainable expansion, fundraising opportunities, stronger market connections, and long-term business viability.

The application period begins on 25 October 2026, and the deadline is 25 November 2026. Applications are free, and interested ventures should review the eligibility requirements and prepare the required documents before submitting their applications.

About the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda is a business acceleration and enterprise development programme intended to strengthen education technology ventures that have the potential to improve access to quality learning.

Education technology has become an important part of efforts to address persistent educational challenges, including limited access to learning resources, disparities between urban and rural communities, gaps in educational inclusion, and the difficulty of delivering relevant learning opportunities to underserved populations. However, developing a promising digital learning product does not automatically guarantee that an enterprise can reach its intended audience, maintain a sustainable business model, or demonstrate measurable learning outcomes.

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship seeks to address these challenges by supporting ventures that have already developed their solutions and begun operating in the market. Rather than focusing on individuals with only an idea for an education-related business, the programme targets established ventures that can demonstrate some level of traction and are ready to strengthen their operations, improve their products, and expand their reach.

Hive Colab implements the fellowship in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Through this collaboration, participating ventures receive structured support that combines business development with educational product improvement, inclusive design, and opportunities to access markets and investment.

The programme is particularly relevant to enterprises that use technology as the primary means of delivering or scaling their learning solutions. These may include digital learning platforms, technology-enabled educational products, and other innovative solutions that help learners access relevant and inclusive educational experiences.

A central objective of the fellowship is to help participating enterprises build sustainable and scalable education businesses. This means supporting ventures not only to improve their immediate performance but also to develop the systems, partnerships, and financial strategies needed to continue delivering value over time.

Objectives of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship

The fellowship is designed to support the development of stronger education technology enterprises while contributing to more inclusive and accessible learning opportunities in Uganda.

Its principal objectives include the following:

1. Strengthening business models

A sustainable business model is essential for an EdTech venture that wants to continue operating and reach more learners. The fellowship helps participating enterprises assess and strengthen their business models, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop strategies that support long-term viability.

This business support may help ventures examine how they generate revenue, reach customers, manage costs, establish partnerships, and position their products within the education market.

2. Improving digital learning products

The programme aims to improve the quality and relevance of participating ventures’ digital learning products. Education technology solutions must respond to the needs of their intended users and provide learning experiences that are accessible, useful, and appropriate for their target populations.

Through tailored support, ventures can work towards improving their products so that they better address educational needs and deliver meaningful value to learners.

3. Promoting inclusive education

Inclusive education is an important focus of the fellowship. The programme seeks to support technology-based learning solutions that reach people who may face barriers to educational access.

These populations can include young people, girls and young women, persons with disabilities, refugees, and learners in rural or low-connectivity communities.

By encouraging the development of inclusive learning solutions, the fellowship aims to help participating ventures reach underserved populations rather than concentrating exclusively on learners who already have access to conventional educational resources.

4. Supporting business growth and scalability

The fellowship is intended for ventures that have the potential to expand beyond their current level of operation. Participants receive support to identify growth opportunities, strengthen their operations, and develop strategies for reaching additional learners and markets.

Scalability is particularly important for technology-driven education enterprises because digital solutions can potentially serve larger audiences when supported by appropriate infrastructure, product development, and business systems.

5. Improving investment readiness

Access to funding can be a significant challenge for growing enterprises. The fellowship includes investment readiness support to help ventures strengthen their ability to pursue fundraising opportunities.

This support is intended to help participating businesses become better prepared to engage potential investors and other funding partners as they pursue growth.

Benefits of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2

Selected ventures will receive several forms of support designed to strengthen their businesses, improve their products, and prepare them for sustainable growth.

1. Catalytic milestone-based, equity-free grant

One of the major benefits of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is access to a catalytic grant that does not require participating ventures to surrender equity.

An equity-free grant differs from an equity investment because the recipient does not have to give the funder an ownership stake in the business in exchange for the grant. This can be particularly valuable for founders who want to finance business development while retaining ownership and decision-making authority over their enterprises.

The grant is described as milestone-based, meaning that its disbursement is linked to agreed milestones rather than being presented as an unconditional lump-sum payment.

The specific grant amount, milestone requirements, and disbursement schedule are not stated in the provided opportunity information. Applicants should therefore consult the official application portal or contact the programme team for clarification before making financial plans based on the grant.

2. Twelve-month fellowship programme

Selected ventures will participate in a structured 12-month fellowship programme.

Over the course of the programme, participants will receive tailored business support and opportunities to work on challenges affecting their enterprises. The 12-month duration provides a period for ventures to strengthen their business strategies, improve their learning products, and work towards measurable growth objectives.

The fellowship combines business development with product improvement and practical guidance intended to help ventures become more sustainable and scalable.

3. Weekly mentorship and coaching

Participants will benefit from weekly mentorship and coaching. This provides a structured opportunity to receive guidance, assess business challenges, and work towards specific development goals.

Mentorship and coaching can help founders examine their decisions, identify areas requiring improvement, and develop strategies for addressing operational and commercial challenges.

The weekly format also offers the potential for continued engagement throughout the fellowship, rather than relying on a single training session or occasional interaction.

4. Learning science and inclusive product design

The fellowship includes support related to learning science and inclusive product design.

Learning science concerns how people learn and how educational experiences can be designed to support understanding, retention, engagement, and learning outcomes. For EdTech ventures, this knowledge can help ensure that a digital product is not merely technologically functional but also relevant to the learning needs of its users.

Inclusive product design focuses on developing solutions that account for the different circumstances, abilities, and barriers experienced by learners. For example, an enterprise serving rural communities may need to consider limited internet access, while a venture working with persons with disabilities may need to consider accessibility requirements.

This component is particularly relevant to ventures that want to demonstrate that their products contribute to meaningful and inclusive educational experiences.

5. Market access opportunities

Participating ventures will receive market access support intended to help them identify opportunities for growth and reach relevant customers, partners, and users.

For an EdTech business, market access can involve understanding the education sector, developing relationships with relevant stakeholders, identifying potential institutional customers, and finding appropriate channels through which to distribute a learning product.

The programme’s market access component is intended to help ventures move beyond product development and work towards wider adoption.

6. Investment readiness support

The fellowship will help ventures strengthen their preparedness for fundraising and potential investment opportunities.

Investment readiness is important for enterprises that need additional resources to expand their teams, improve their technology, enter new markets, or increase the number of learners they serve.

Although participation in the fellowship does not guarantee investment, the support is intended to help businesses prepare for conversations with potential investors and funding partners.

7. Technical assistance

Selected ventures will receive technical assistance to support their development needs.

Technical assistance can help businesses address specific challenges associated with their products, operations, or growth strategies. The precise form of assistance available to each venture may depend on its needs and the programme’s support arrangements.

8. Up to 24 months of post-acceleration support

In addition to the 12-month fellowship, participating ventures can receive up to 24 months of post-acceleration support.

This additional support focuses on growth, market access, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.

The post-acceleration period is significant because business development does not necessarily end when a formal fellowship concludes. Ventures may still need assistance with market expansion, fundraising, partnerships, and the practical challenges of maintaining growth.

The programme’s extended support is intended to help enterprises continue building on the progress achieved during the fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2

The fellowship is intended for established, technology-driven education ventures that are locally rooted in Uganda and demonstrate the potential to improve educational access and learning outcomes.

Applicants should carefully review the following eligibility requirements before beginning their applications.

1. Ventures must be locally founded and locally led

The venture must be locally founded and locally led, with leadership and decision-making rooted in Uganda.

This requirement means that the enterprise should have a genuine local foundation and that its leadership and important business decisions should be rooted in the Ugandan context.

Applicants should be prepared to provide accurate information about the venture’s founders, leadership structure, registration, and operations where requested by the application form.

The requirement is directed at the venture rather than simply the nationality of an individual applicant. The supplied eligibility information does not provide a complete definition of local ownership or specify particular ownership percentages, so ventures with complex ownership or governance arrangements should seek clarification from Hive Colab if necessary.

2. The venture must be at the early-revenue, growth, or scaling stage

The fellowship is designed for ventures that have progressed beyond the initial idea stage.

Eligible ventures must be operating at one of the following stages:

• Early revenue: The venture has begun generating revenue from its product or service and is developing its business model and customer base.
• Growth stage: The venture has established some market traction and is working to increase its customer base, improve operations, or expand its reach.
• Scaling stage: The venture is positioned to expand its operations and serve a larger market or more learners.

These descriptions explain the general meaning of the stated stages; the programme’s own assessment criteria will determine how individual applicants are classified.

Pre-revenue and idea-stage ventures are explicitly ineligible. Therefore, an applicant with only a business concept or an early prototype and no revenue-generating activity should not assume that the venture qualifies.

Applicants should be prepared to explain their current stage of development and provide evidence of traction where requested.

3. The venture must deliver an inclusive learning solution

Applicants must demonstrate that their products or services support inclusive learning.

The fellowship is particularly interested in solutions that improve educational access for underserved populations, including:

• Young people who face barriers to accessing quality education.
• Girls and young women who experience educational inequalities.
• Persons with disabilities who may encounter accessibility barriers.
• Refugees who may have difficulty accessing conventional learning opportunities.
• Learners in rural communities.
• People living in areas with limited internet connectivity or other digital infrastructure challenges.

These examples illustrate the kinds of learners and communities that inclusive EdTech solutions may serve. Applicants should explain who their intended beneficiaries are, the educational challenges they face, and how the venture’s product responds to those needs.

A strong application should clearly describe the relationship between the product and the intended learning benefits. Simply identifying a target population may not adequately demonstrate how the solution improves educational access or learning experiences.

4. The venture must be operating in Uganda

Applicants must be operating in Uganda, and the majority of their learners or users must be based in the country.

This is an important requirement for enterprises that operate across several countries or offer digital products that can be accessed internationally.

A venture may have ambitions to expand regionally or internationally, but it must meet the programme’s stated operational and user-location requirements.

Applicants should provide accurate information about where their business operates and where their learners or users are located. Ventures whose principal user base is outside Uganda should not assume that they qualify simply because their products are available to Ugandan users.

5. Technology must be central to the delivery and scalability of the solution

The venture must use technology as the core engine through which its solution is delivered and scaled.

This requirement distinguishes technology-driven education enterprises from businesses that primarily deliver education through conventional, in-person methods.

Potentially relevant models may include digital learning platforms, online educational tools, technology-enabled learning resources, and other solutions in which technology is central to how learners access the product or service.

However, the official eligibility information does not provide an exhaustive list of qualifying product categories. Applicants should explain how their technology works, how learners access it, and how it enables the venture to reach more people.

Important exclusion: Ventures whose primary business model is in-person or classroom-based training delivery are not eligible.

An enterprise that mainly conducts physical training sessions should therefore not assume that the occasional use of digital tools makes it eligible. Technology must be central to the solution’s delivery and scalability.

6. Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate traction and learning impact

The online application requests information about the venture’s progress to date, approach to inclusion, and evidence of learning impact.

Although the supplied eligibility information does not prescribe a particular minimum number of users, revenue threshold, or learning-impact score, applicants should be ready to explain what their venture has achieved so far.

Relevant information may include user or learner numbers, revenue progress, product adoption, partnerships, feedback from learners, and available evidence of educational outcomes, where applicable.

Applicants should provide accurate and verifiable information rather than making unsupported claims about their impact.

Which countries are eligible?

The opportunity is specifically for qualifying ventures operating in Uganda. The venture must also be locally founded and locally led, and the majority of its learners or users must be based in Uganda.

The supplied information does not establish a separate list of eligible nationalities or state that founders must hold a particular citizenship. Interested applicants should therefore assess the venture-level requirements and contact Hive Colab if they need clarification about their specific ownership or residency circumstances.

Who is not eligible?

Based on the published requirements supplied for this opportunity, the following ventures do not qualify:

• Pre-revenue or idea-stage businesses.
• Ventures that are not operating in Uganda.
• Businesses whose majority of learners or users are not based in Uganda.
• Ventures whose leadership and decision-making are not rooted in Uganda.
• Businesses that do not provide an inclusive learning solution.
• Enterprises that do not use technology as the core means of delivering and scaling their solution.
• Ventures whose primary business model is in-person or classroom-based training delivery.

Meeting the stated requirements is essential, but it does not guarantee selection. The programme will assess applications according to its selection process and priorities.

Programme Structure, Duration, and Location

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda combines a formal acceleration period with continued post-acceleration assistance.

Programme location: Uganda.

Fellowship duration: 12 months.

Post-acceleration support: Up to 24 additional months.

Implementation partner: Hive Colab, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Financial support: A catalytic, milestone-based, equity-free grant.

Application fee: Free.

The 12-month fellowship period

During the fellowship, selected ventures receive tailored business support, weekly mentorship and coaching, and assistance with product development, inclusive design, market access, and investment readiness.

The programme is designed to address the needs of ventures at different stages of development within the eligible early-revenue, growth, and scaling categories.

The exact schedule of workshops, mentoring sessions, assessments, and other activities has not been specified in the supplied opportunity details. Applicants should consult the programme team for a confirmed calendar and any additional participation requirements.

The post-acceleration period

After the formal 12-month fellowship, ventures may receive up to 24 months of further support.

This stage focuses on helping businesses pursue growth opportunities, access markets, raise funds, and build long-term sustainability.

The stated maximum post-acceleration period does not necessarily mean that every venture will receive the same duration or intensity of support. The precise arrangements should be confirmed with the implementing organisation.

Programme fees and funding

Applying to the fellowship is free at every stage. The programme information also states that successful ventures will receive a milestone-based, equity-free grant.

However, the supplied details do not specify the grant amount, whether there are any costs associated with particular activities outside the application process, or the exact conditions attached to grant disbursement. Applicants should obtain clarification directly from Hive Colab before making assumptions about these matters.

Required Documents for the Application

Applicants should prepare the documents requested by the online application process. The stated requirements are as follows.

1. Certificate of incorporation or equivalent registration document

Applicants must provide a certificate of incorporation or an equivalent document showing that the venture is registered.

This document helps establish the venture’s legal registration status. Applicants should ensure that the document is legible and corresponds to the business applying for the fellowship.

2. Pitch deck

A pitch deck is required as part of the application.

The pitch deck should clearly communicate the venture’s purpose, product, target market, business model, progress, and growth potential. Applicants may also use it to explain the educational challenge being addressed, the technology behind the solution, and the venture’s approach to inclusion.

Where relevant, applicants should include credible information about revenue, users, partnerships, and learning impact.

The supplied information does not specify a required number of slides or a particular presentation template. Applicants should follow any additional instructions provided in the application portal.

3. Gender, safeguarding, or child protection policy, if available

Applicants are asked to provide a gender, safeguarding, or child protection policy if they have one.

This document may help demonstrate the venture’s approach to protecting learners, addressing gender-related considerations, and creating safer learning environments.

The requirement is conditional in the supplied information. It should not be misrepresented as an absolute requirement for every applicant, although ventures that already have relevant policies should prepare them for submission.

4. Product demonstration video

Applicants must provide a short demonstration video showing how their product works.

The video must be no longer than five minutes. It should demonstrate the product in a clear and practical way, helping reviewers understand what the solution does and how users interact with it.

The programme accepts a video link from platforms such as:

• YouTube.
• Vimeo.
• Google Drive.

Applicants should set the video’s viewing permissions to “anyone with the link” so that the reviewers can access it.

The instructions specifically request a link rather than an uploaded video file. Applicants should test the link before submission to ensure that it opens correctly without requiring additional access permissions.

How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2

Eligible ventures can apply online through the official application portal. Applicants should review the eligibility criteria and prepare the necessary information before completing the form.

Step 1: Confirm that your venture meets the eligibility requirements

Before starting the application, confirm that your business is locally founded and locally led, operates in Uganda, and has the majority of its learners or users based in the country.

Ensure that the venture has reached the early-revenue, growth, or scaling stage and that technology is central to delivering and scaling its learning solution.

The product must also support inclusive learning, and the venture must not depend primarily on in-person or classroom-based training delivery.

Step 2: Gather information about your venture

The application form requests details about the business, its traction to date, its approach to inclusion, and evidence of learning impact.

Applicants should prepare clear and accurate information about:

• The problem their venture addresses.
• The digital product or learning solution they provide.
• Their intended learners and users.
• How the venture supports inclusive education.
• The venture’s current stage of development.
• Progress and traction achieved to date.
• Evidence demonstrating the solution’s educational relevance and learning impact.
• The business model and plans for sustainable growth.

Providing clear explanations and supporting evidence can help reviewers understand the venture’s current position and future potential.

Step 3: Prepare the required documents

Collect the venture’s registration document, pitch deck, and any relevant gender, safeguarding, or child protection policy.

Prepare a product demonstration video of no more than five minutes and upload it to an accepted platform. Copy the shareable link and ensure that the viewing permission is set to “anyone with the link.”

Check all documents before proceeding. Incomplete files, broken links, or restricted video permissions may prevent reviewers from accessing important application materials.

Step 4: Complete the online application form

Visit the official application portal and complete the application form.

Provide the requested details about the venture and ensure that all information is accurate and consistent with the supporting documents.

Pay particular attention to the questions about traction, inclusion, and learning impact. These areas are central to understanding whether the venture fits the fellowship’s objectives.

Step 5: Review and submit your application

Before submitting, review the form and confirm that all required information has been entered correctly.

Check that the registration document and pitch deck are ready, that any relevant policy documents have been included, and that the product demonstration video is accessible.

Submit the application through the official portal before the deadline of 25 November 2026.

Applicants should not assume that saving a draft is equivalent to submitting the application. Where the portal provides a submission confirmation, retain it for your records.

Important Dates and Application Deadline

Applicants should take note of the following dates for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2.

Event	Date
Application start date	25 October 2026
Application deadline	25 November 2026
Fellowship duration	12 months
Post-acceleration support	Up to 24 months

Application deadline: 25 November 2026.

Applications should be completed and submitted before the deadline. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their documents early rather than waiting until the final day, particularly because the product demonstration video must be shared through an accessible link.

The supplied information does not specify the date on which successful applicants will be notified, the fellowship commencement date, or the precise programme calendar. Interested ventures should monitor official communications from Hive Colab for further announcements.

 

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Although eligibility does not guarantee selection, applicants can improve the clarity and completeness of their submissions by preparing carefully.

Demonstrate the venture’s existing traction

Since pre-revenue and idea-stage ventures are not eligible, applicants should clearly explain their current business stage and progress.

Where available, provide relevant evidence of revenue, product adoption, user growth, partnerships, or other indicators of traction. Avoid relying solely on future plans or projections.

Explain how the solution improves learning

Describe the educational problem the venture addresses and how the product helps solve it. Explain the intended learning benefits and provide supporting evidence where available.

A strong explanation should make the connection between the technology, the learning experience, and the expected or demonstrated educational value clear.

Show how the venture supports inclusion

Identify the learners or communities the product serves and explain how it addresses their needs.

For example, if the venture supports learners in rural communities, explain how the product responds to the realities of connectivity and access. If it serves persons with disabilities, describe the accessibility features or design considerations relevant to the intended users.

Explain how the business can scale sustainably

The fellowship prioritises ventures that can strengthen their business models and expand their impact. Applicants should explain how the venture plans to reach additional users while maintaining the quality and relevance of its educational solution.

Make the pitch deck and demonstration video clear

The pitch deck should communicate the business and its potential without unnecessary complexity. The demonstration video should show the product in action and help reviewers understand how it works.

Because the video is limited to five minutes, applicants should focus on the most important features and the way the solution serves its intended learners.

Check all application materials before submission

Confirm that the registration document is readable, the pitch deck is complete, and the product video link works without requesting access. Review the application form for errors and submit it before the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda

1. Who can apply for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2?

Locally founded and locally led EdTech ventures operating in Uganda can apply if they are at the early-revenue, growth, or scaling stage, serve a majority of learners or users based in Uganda, and provide an inclusive learning solution powered by technology.

2. Can an idea-stage startup apply?

No. Pre-revenue and idea-stage ventures are explicitly excluded. Applicants must have progressed beyond the idea stage and meet the programme’s requirements for business development and traction.

3. Can a business based outside Uganda apply?

The stated requirements specify that the venture must operate in Uganda and have the majority of its learners or users based there. Ventures that do not meet these requirements should not assume they are eligible.

4. Does the fellowship provide funding?

Yes. Selected ventures receive a catalytic, milestone-based, equity-free grant. The supplied opportunity information does not state the amount of funding available or the detailed disbursement conditions.

5. How long does the fellowship last?

The formal fellowship lasts 12 months. Participating ventures can also receive up to 24 months of post-acceleration support focused on growth, market access, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.

6. Is the application free?

Yes. The application is free at every stage. Hive Colab and the Mastercard Foundation will not request payment in connection with an application.

7. What documents are required?

The stated documents are a certificate of incorporation or equivalent registration document, a pitch deck, a gender, safeguarding, or child protection policy if available, and a product demonstration video of no more than five minutes.

8. How should applicants submit the product demonstration video?

Applicants should share a link from YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive. The video must be accessible to anyone with the link, and applicants should provide the link rather than upload the video file directly.

9. What is the deadline for the fellowship?

The application deadline is 25 November 2026. Applicants should complete the online form and prepare their supporting documents before this date.

10. Where can applicants get clarification?

Applicants can consult the official application portal. The opportunity information also provides edtech@hivecolab.comas the email address for reporting suspicious payment requests. Applicants who need clarification about eligibility, funding, or programme arrangements should seek confirmation from Hive Colab.

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2 offers an important opportunity for eligible Ugandan education technology ventures seeking equity-free grant funding, business acceleration, mentorship, technical assistance, and support for inclusive digital learning. Through its 12-month fellowship and up to 24 months of post-acceleration assistance, the programme aims to help established EdTech enterprises strengthen their business models, improve learning products, expand their reach, and build long-term sustainability.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to locally founded and locally led ventures that have moved beyond the idea stage and use technology to address educational challenges affecting underserved learners in Uganda. Interested applicants should review the eligibility requirements, prepare their registration documents and pitch deck, and ensure that their product demonstration video is accessible.

Applications open on 25 October 2026 and close on 25 November 2026. Eligible ventures should submit their applications through the official portal before the deadline.

Apply Now: Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda Cohort 2

Official Application Portal

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