Call for Applications: Injini/Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program 2024

Injini’s EdTech Fellowship Program, delivered in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation,  is a 6-month, equity-free, hybrid venture support program that takes a partnership approach to business acceleration, broken down into three core focus areas which will be delivered from May through October 2024. 

?The EdTech Fellowship Program specifically focuses on the following three key objectives:

• Facilitate market access with a lens to increase reach to learners at the “bottom of the pyramid”;
• Design and implement, or refine, impact measurement, monitoring, and evaluation systems; and
• Improve financial sustainability, including investment readiness support, where appropriate.

About Injini

Injini is a registered Non-Profit Company that exists for the sole purpose of improving educational outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. We do this by supporting key stakeholders to increase the quality, access and relevance of education throughout the region.

Injini EdTech Fellowship Program

Aim and Benefits of Injini EdTech Fellowship Program

Each selected EdTech company, or “Fellow”, will receive Injini’s specialised acceleration support valued at over R2,500,000, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.

Program benefits include:

• Hands-on support from specialists in education innovation, fundraising, impact M&E, commerce and more;

• Pedagogical evaluation and certification by EdTech Impact and Education Alliance Finland;

• Bespoke market research support by Injini’s team of education innovation researchers;

• "Sponsored Skills" to swiftly address team needs, produce targeted outputs, and strengthen your overall capacity for long-term business success with the help of external consultants;

• Networking, knowledge-sharing and learning opportunities with key ecosystem players and industry experts;

• Access to a selection of courses, in addition to office hours from the Human-Computer Interaction Institute faculty members at Carnegie Mellon University - a global leader in education technology and applied learning sciences; 

• Contributing to a growing body of evidence documenting "what works" in African EdTech; and

• ?Equity-free venture funding of over R1,000,000.

Note, all costs relating to travelling to and from Cape Town for those residing elsewhere in South Africa will be covered by Injini (for one person per company).

Requirements for Injini EdTech Fellowship Program Qualification

The typical participating EdTech company in the EdTech Fellowship Program fits the following profile:

• Addresses a substantial market opportunity, with a focus on South Africa;
• Has a tech-enabled solution designed to increase access and improve educational outcomes in South Africa, preferably supporting learners in pre-primary education (ages 0-5), primary and secondary education (ages 5-18) and/or teacher training and professional development;
• Post-revenue, growth-stage startup (annual revenue likely exceeding R1,000,000). If the applicant is a non-profit entity, grant funding constitutes annual revenue;
• Has the potential to reach 8,000 direct learners within one year of program participation
• Led by a diverse team with a strong understanding of the context in which they operate – we’re especially excited to support inspiring female founders and leadership teams.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Injini EdTech Fellowship Program

PRE-ACCELERATION: LATE MAR - APR 2024

• ??Selection of Cohort – Injini and partners will finalise the shortlisting and announce the 12 selected EdTech Fellows at a public kick-off event taking place on 11 April 2024.

• Program Onboarding – Immediately following the Kick-Off Event, the Fellows will be onboarded to the program, in person in Cape Town, on 12 April 2024. 

• Needs Assessment and milestone setting for the acceleration period

• Introductions to and support from Education Alliance Finland and Carnegie Mellon University

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details,visit Injini website