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Expression of Interest Form for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund 2.0

10.Background

1 Introduction
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) 2.0 is an initiative aimed at equipping Mastercard Foundation Scholars with financial support, training, mentorship, mental health resources, and access to networking opportunities to transform their business ideas into viable enterprises. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF 2.0) is an evolution of the initial Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF), designed to provide Mastercard Foundation Scholars at USIU-Africa with financial grants and capacity-building resources. Under SEF 2.0, eligible Mastercard Foundation Scholars can receive up to $5,000 to support business-related expenses.


2 Eligibility criteria for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund
To qualify for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF 2.0) at USIU-Africa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
The founder or at least one co-founder must be a Mastercard Foundation Scholar currently enrolled in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa.
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger.
The applicant must be a currently enrolled Mastercard Foundation Scholar, regardless of their level of study.
The business idea must focus on establishing a business, social enterprise,
Require training/funding/mentorship/networking opportunities.
Eligibility criteria for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund
To qualify for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF 2.0) at USIU-Africa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
The founder or at least one co-founder must be a Mastercard Foundation Scholar currently enrolled in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa.
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger.
The applicant must be a currently enrolled Mastercard Foundation Scholar, regardless of their level of study.
The business idea must focus on establishing a business, social enterprise,
Require training/funding/mentorship/networking opportunities.


3 Application procedure

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) 2.0 for 2025-2026 is now open for applications!

1) Fill out the online expression of interest form and submit your application by Monday, 07 April 2025, at 5pm (EAT).
2) For more information, call 0731475758 or call extension 799 or email sef2.0@usiu.ac.ke

If the question is not applicable, indicate N/A.
1.Your full name
2.Your Student ID
3.Your Cohort
4.Please indicate your field of study:
5.Level of study
6.Your personal email address
7.Your school email address
8.Your phone number
9.Your gender
10.Your age (indicate in complete years)
11.Do you belong to any of the following special groups?
12.Your nationality
13.Your Country of Residence
14.Co-Founder's full name
15.Co-Founder's Student ID
16.Co-Founder's Cohort
17.Co-Founder's email address
18.Co-Founder's phone number
19.Co-Founder's gender
20.Co-Founder's age (indicate in complete years)
21.Does the Co-Founder belong to any of the following special groups?
22.Co-founder's Country of Residence
23.Names of any other team members (if any)?
24.What is the name of your Business (if applicable)?
25.Business Sector
26.Provide a brief description of your Business or idea.
27.Is the Business registered? (A Registered business is one with a certificate of registration).
28.If yes, Registration type: (Some businesses have permits but not registered)
29.Annual revenue Turnover
30.Number of years the Business has been operational
31.Business Location
32.Which stage best describes your Business?
33.How much time on a daily basis do you dedicate to your business?
34.What problem or need does your Business seek to address?
35.Who is your target market? (Who are your customers?)
36.What is your marketing and sales strategy? (How do you reach your targeted customers?)
37.What is your revenue model? (How does your Business generate income?)
38.What is your sustainability model? (How do you plan to sustain and grow your Business?)
39.What is the expected impact of the business?
40.Which type(s) of support would be most helpful for your Business? (Check all that apply)
41.How much funding would you require to scale your Business? Indicate in Kenya Shillings
42.List the key activities for which you would require SEF 2.0 support.
43.Provide details of two referees who can verify your entrepreneurial activities.
44.Declaration I hereby declare that the information provided is true and accurate. The program reserves the right to revoke any support awarded if the information is found to be false.
Current Progress,
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