Mastercard Foundation FAST Program 2026 | Apply Now

Mastercard Foundation FAST Program

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or in your early stage of your entrenpreneurship journey?

Mastercard Foundation FAST Program is open to aspiring entrepreneurs or those in the early stages of their entrepreneurship journey.

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The Mastercard Foundation FAST Program  will support and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing up to $15,000 in support for each venture.

In this post, the full details of the eligibility, benefits, timeline, and application procedure will be provided.


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Mastercard Foundation FAST Program Abstract

  • Host: Mastercard Foundation FAST
  • Category: Competitions || Trainings || Grants
  • Benefits:
    • $15,000 Grant
    • Access to Funding
    • Business Development Training
    • Mentorship
  • Eligibility: All Countries
  • Deadline: March 20, 2026

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Mastercard Foundation FAST Program Details

The third application drive for the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) program is now open.

FAST supports and empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing enterprise support and connecting participants to business development training and a supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors.

FAST is a partnership of the Mastercard Foundation with CCHub Nigeria, MDF Global, Concree, Scale up, Savannah Innovations Lab, the Center for Enterprising Organizations, Inkomoko, and the Africa Leadership Academy (ALA).

Mastercard Foundation FAST Program Benefits

The Mastercard Foundation FAST Program offers beneficiaries

  • funding of up to $15,000 Grant 
    • Idea Phase: An average of USD $3000 (up to $5,000) to help develop and refine initial ideas.
    • Build Phase: An average of USD $12,500 (up to $15,000) to transform the ideas into viable business models.
  • business development training
  • supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors.

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Mastercard Foundation FAST Program Requirements

To be eligible for theMastercard Foundation FAST Program, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Own a business
  • Applicants who are alumni of any the following program have higher chance: 

    • Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

    • African Leadership Academy (ALA)

    • Anzisha Prize

    • Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) 

  • Applicants must be able to receive coaching and other program activities in one of the following languages: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. 
  • The (proposed or established) business must be:
    • A for-profit business (Not-for-profit entities do not qualify for FAST)Leaders Initiative (YALI)
    • Located in one of the qualifying countries

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  • Applicants must be 35 years of age or younger by the completion of the program (which may
    extend into Q1 2027).
  • The proposed or established business cannot be owned or co-owned by anyone who will be older than 35 by the end of the program period.
  • If you are a current Mastercard Foundation Scholar and have not yet graduated, you are ineligible to apply. However, Mastercard Foundation Scholars in their final year are eligible
    to apply.
  • You are ineligible for FAST if you have participated in other Mastercard Foundation programs,
    including:
  • Young Africa Works
  • COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Program (CRRP)
  • Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship
  • Mastercard Foundation Young Impact Associate (YIA)
  • Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture (EYiA)
  • Mastercard Foundation Associate
  • Mastercard Youth Think Tank

Mastercard Foundation FAST Program Documents

While applying for the 2026 Mastercard Foundation FAST Program, you will be required to submit the following documents;

  • Complete Application Form
  • Alumni from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will need to provide a student ID from the institution they attended. This ID will be used to verify your Scholars Program Alumni status.
  • Business Proposal

How To Apply for Mastercard Foundation FAST Program

To apply for the Mastercard Foundation FAST Program, follow the instructions we have outlined below; 

  • Read the information we have provided on this webpage and ensure your eligibility
  • Apply via the application form

Begin your application by clicking on the button below.

Deadline: March 20th, 2026


Click Here To Apply


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