About this opportunity
Hive Colab, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has opened applications for Cohort 2 of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Uganda. The fellowship supports high impact, growth stage EdTech ventures that are ready to build sustainable and scalable education enterprises.
Selected ventures receive a catalytic milestone-based, equity-free grant alongside a 12 month fellowship combining tailored business support, weekly mentorship and coaching, learning science and inclusive product design, market access, investment readiness and technical assistance. Post acceleration support then continues for up to 24 months, focused on growth, fundraising and long term sustainability.
The programme prioritises ventures that design for real constraints, from low connectivity environments and under resourced schools to displacement settings, reaching underserved learners such as youth, girls, persons with disabilities, refugees and rural communities. Applying is free at every stage, and applications close on 26 November 2026.
What you receive
- Catalytic milestone-based, equity-free grant
- 12 month fellowship with tailored business support and weekly mentorship and coaching
- Learning science and inclusive product design guidance
- Partnership, market access and investment readiness support
- Up to 24 months of post acceleration support focused on growth, fundraising and sustainability
Who can apply
- Locally founded and locally led, with leadership and decision-making rooted in Uganda
- At Early Revenue, Growth or Scaling stage
- Delivers an inclusive learning solution reaching underserved learners such as youth, young girls, persons with disabilities, refugees or rural and low-connectivity communities
- Operating in Uganda, with the majority of learners or users based in Uganda
- Uses technology as the core engine of how the solution is delivered and scaled
Who should not apply
- Pre-revenue or idea-stage ventures are not eligible
- Ventures whose primary model is in-person or classroom-based training delivery are not eligible
- Applying is free at every stage, and Hive Colab and the Mastercard Foundation will never request payment
Documents to prepare
- Certificate of incorporation or equivalent registration document
- Gender, Safeguarding or Child Protection Policy, if you have one
- Product demo video of up to 5 minutes, shared as a YouTube, Vimeo or Google Drive link with viewing permission set to anyone with the link
How to apply
- Check your venture against the eligibility criteria on the official Fellowship site
- Open the application portal from the Fellowship apply page
- Create an account or log in to the Hive Colab application system
- Submit the Cohort 2 application with your registration document, pitch deck and product demo link
- Join an information session if you need guidance, then await shortlisting
Selection process
- Shortlisting, interviews and due diligence follow the application window
- Applicants are notified of the outcome after assessment
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
I applied for Cohort 1 and was not selected. Can I apply again?
Yes, and you are encouraged to. The panel assesses where your venture is now, not where it was in the last round.
Is there a cost to apply?
No. Applying to the fellowship is free at every stage, and Hive Colab and the Mastercard Foundation will never request payment in connection with an application.
How long is the programme?
The fellowship runs 12 months in two phases, design for inclusion and acceleration for responsible scale, followed by up to 24 months of post acceleration support.
What happens to my application data?
It is used only for evaluation, due diligence, programme design and donor compliance, retained for 24 months after the selection process closes, in line with Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
