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Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in partnership with EdVentures – Cohort 3(2026)

Scaling EdTech Startups

Impacting Learners

Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, in partnership with EdVentures, aims to revolutionize the MENA EdTech sector. Focused on digital innovation, inclusivity, and youth empowerment, this program is set to drive sustainable growth and employment, aligning with the strategic visions of both organizations to impact education profoundly.
The  fellowship empowers diverse Growth Stage EdTech start-ups to scale their businesses and increase access to technology enabled learning with a specific focus on women and young people.

Duration: 7-8 months

Open to founders of African origin or residing in Africa (based in Egypt).

Focused on Growth Stage EdTech Startups.

Free equity participation. 

Specifically empowering youth and women (18 – 35) entrepreneurs.

Accelerating EdTech startups to scale within the 7-month timeframe.

Aimed at educating Egyptian society with an African focus.

The Program’s Journey

Submit your application

Submit your application

Assessing the overall impact of the acceleration program on participating startups and the EdTech sector in Egypt.

Our team will contact shortlisted candidates.

Our team will contact shortlisted candidates.

Tracking the growth metrics and milestones achieved by participating startups during the program.

One-on-one discussion with our programs team to explore potential opportunities.

One-on-one discussion with our programs team to explore potential opportunities.

Gathering feedback from participants to evaluate their satisfaction levels with program components such as mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.

Get listed in our network

Get listed in our network

Evaluating the effectiveness of program activities in achieving objectives and fostering the growth of startups in the EdTech industry.

Apply now

FELLOWSHIP BENEFITS

Mentorship Opportunities

Knowledge-sharing workshops with experts

Training Sessions

Access to courses including science of learning

Networking Events

Equity-free grant of up to $60,000

The benefits provided throughout the program are tailor-made for Edtech startups hammering down on the pain points and biggest challenges faced by successful Edtech startups.

WHO CAN APPLY

EdTech Startups incorporated in Egypt.

Startups actively working to grow their own business in the EdTech sector.

Startups should have existed for at least 3 years.

Growth EdTech startups with developed product and post revenue

Market-ready and scalable EdTech solutions.

Explore Cohort one Demo Day

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Application Screening – Reviewing submitted applications. 
  • Initial Interview – Shortlisted startups will present their business. 
  • Bootcamp – An intensive training and mentorship phase. 
  • Final Presentation – Startups will pitch after the Bootcamp. 
  • Joining the Program – Selected startups officially enter the fellowship. 

EdTech refers to the integration of technology tools and platforms into educational practices and systems to enhance teaching, learning, and overall educational outcomes. 

  • Applicants are evaluated based on: 
  • EdTech Solution: The problem being solved and the innovative solution. 
  • Innovation – The uniqueness and technological advancement of the product. 
  • Market Potential – The demand and growth opportunities in the market. 
  • Team Experience & Capabilities – The expertise and background of the team. 
  • Scalability – The startup’s potential for regional and global expansion. 
  • Alignment with Program Goals – How well the startup fits within the fellowship’s mission. 
  • Social Impact – The potential effect on education, particularly for underserved communities. 

The program aims to empower growth-stage EdTech startups to scale their businesses and increase access to technology-enabled learning, with a strong focus on women and young people, people with disabilities and refugees. 

    • Startups must be in the EdTech industry and incorporated in Egypt. 
    • Must have been in operation for at least three years. 
    • Should offer a market-ready and scalable EdTech solution. 
    • Must be actively working to grow within the EdTech sector. 
    • Should be a growth-stage startup with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and post-revenue. 
    • Women led startups founders are preferred. 
    • Youth founders (aged 18-35) are preferred. 
    • Solutions that cater to inclusion (serving people with disabilities and/or refugees or and young women and youth empowerment) are encouraged. 

  • Participants will benefit from: 
    • Mentorship Opportunities – Guidance from industry experts. 
    • Training Sessions – Focused learning experiences to enhance business growth. 
    • Networking Events – Connections with investors, partners, and other startups. 
    • Knowledge-sharing Workshops – Insights from seasoned professionals. 
    • CMU Support – Focused learning experiences and guidance to enhance business growth 
    • In-kind Services, including: 
    • Marketing Services 
    • Legal Services 
    • Cloud Services 
    • Studio Services 
    • Fintech Solutions 
    • Matchmaking with Partners 
    • Media & PR Support 
    • Equity-free grant of up to $59,600, along with post-program support. 

The program includes: 

  • Workshops 
  • Extra knowledge-sharing sessions with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) 
  • Mentorship sessions 
  • Networking events 
  • Milestone-driven and Monitoring & Evaluation activities to support business development and scaling. 

  • The program lasts between 7 to 8 months. 
  • 2 Years post program support after the 7-8 months  

Outside Cairo for 3 days in a well reputed Hotel

Growth EdTech startups with developed product and post revenue

While solo founders are welcome to apply, we prefer startups with at least two co-founders, ideally with gender diversity (both male and female founders). 

Apply now