Education technology startups in Uganda have a major opportunity. Applications are open for Cohort 2 of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, a selective growth programme that provides catalytic, equity-free funding of up to US$70,000 (roughly UGX 313–314 million) plus intensive business development support.
Implemented by Hive Colab in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the fellowship targets locally founded and locally led EdTech ventures that already have working products and market traction. It aims to help them scale responsibly while improving learning outcomes, especially for underserved learners.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Uganda’s education system faces persistent challenges: overcrowded and under-resourced classrooms, limited teacher support, low connectivity in many areas, barriers for refugees and learners with disabilities, and gaps in skills pathways from school to work. The fellowship prioritizes solutions designed for these real-world constraints rather than ideal conditions.
Cohort 1 selected 12 ventures from more than 360 applications. These companies work across digital learning, STEM education, workforce readiness, educational assessments, assistive technology, AI-powered tools, and offline-first delivery. Examples include platforms serving rural schools, refugee settlements, and learners with disabilities. The second cohort builds on that foundation and seeks ventures ready to expand reach and strengthen sustainability.
Key Benefits for Selected Ventures
Fellows receive a package focused on responsible growth:
· Equity-free, milestone-based grant funding of up to US$70,000. Disbursements are tied to agreed project or business milestones; founders do not give up equity.
· 12-month structured fellowship covering product development, business sustainability, inclusive learning design, and responsible scaling.
· One-on-one mentorship from experts in education delivery, technology, and business development.
· Technical assistance to strengthen products, implementation, and operations.
· Market access and partnership opportunities with education institutions and ecosystem players.
· Learning impact support, including guidance on measuring educational outcomes and using evidence to improve products.
· Investment readiness help with strategy, governance, metrics, and future fundraising.
· Up to 24 months of post-acceleration support focused on growth, new markets, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.
The programme is structured in phases that emphasize inclusive design and evidence-based impact alongside commercial viability.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility is specific and strict:
· The venture must be locally founded and locally led, with leadership and key decision-making rooted in Uganda.
· It must be at the early-revenue, growth, or scaling stage with a working product. Idea-stage or purely pre-revenue concepts are not eligible. Evidence of traction is required (active users, paying customers, institutional partnerships, revenue, or sustained deployment).
· The solution must clearly improve learning outcomes or strengthen teaching and learning in Uganda.
· Products should be inclusive by design, serving underserved groups such as young people from low-income communities, girls, learners with disabilities, refugees, and students in rural or low-connectivity areas.
· Technology must sit at the core of learning delivery. Purely in-person or classroom-only models without a meaningful digital/platform component do not qualify.
Priority goes to ventures addressing real classroom and community constraints. Note that this is not a general Africa-wide grant; Nigerian or other non-Uganda-rooted businesses without local leadership and operations in Uganda should not apply.
Eligible Solution Types
Examples of fitting models include:
· Digital learning platforms and online education products
· Technology-enabled STEM education
· Educational assessment and learning analytics tools
· Assistive technology for learners with disabilities
· Digital skills and workforce readiness platforms
· Solutions improving access in rural or low-connectivity settings
· Tools that help teachers deliver lessons or track student progress
· Platforms designed for refugees and other underserved populations
These are illustrative. Selection depends on demonstrated operations in Uganda, traction, and potential learning impact.
Application Requirements and Process
Prepare these materials:
- Certificate of incorporation or equivalent registration document.
- Pitch deck covering the educational problem, solution, target users, business model, traction, and growth plans.
- Product demonstration video (maximum 5 minutes) shared via YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive with public/viewable access.
- Safeguarding, gender, or child protection policy (if available), plus explanations of procedures to protect children, young people, and vulnerable users.
The online form also collects details on founders, staffing, revenue, users, partnerships, funding history, learning outcomes measurement, and data protection practices. Provide accurate figures and evidence. Incomplete applications or missing financial information may score lower. Use “N/A” with a brief explanation where a question does not apply.
How to apply: Visit the official portal using the Link provided 👉 Here. Review eligibility carefully, complete all sections, upload documents, and submit before the deadline. There is no application fee at any stage.
Deadline note: Official closure date is 21 November 2026 at 12:00am EAT; other announcements and the application portal reference November 26. Confirm the exact closing date and time directly on the application portal and submit early. Late applications are not accepted.
For questions, contact edtech@hivecolab.com or +256 392 177 978.
This fellowship stands out for combining substantial non-dilutive capital with deep, practical support tailored to Uganda’s education realities. It is designed for founders who already have proof that their product works in the market and are ready to grow impact and sustainability together.
If your EdTech venture is locally rooted in Uganda, has traction, and focuses on inclusive learning outcomes, this is a high-value opportunity worth prioritizing. Review the full criteria on the Hive Colab EdTech site, prepare strong evidence of traction and impact, and apply via the official portal.
