The Quest fellowship is a semester-long program designed by AirDrop labs in partnership with the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen’s University to equip youths with a robust toolkit for transforming ideas, technologies, or passion into viable ventures. The program isn’t just about starting a business—it’s about transforming ideas into impactful ventures that shape the future.
For unconventional #tinkerers and ecosystem amplifiers from across the world – that seek to tackle challenges at a global and local scale through innovation-driven entrepreneurship. It allows fellows to explore their evolving purpose and realize an impactful existence while socializing in the worldwide workforce.
Program Structure
Fellows undergo three different stages: explore, ignite, and launch. Progressing from one stage to another entirely depends on how committed the participants are – completing assignments, watching lectures, answering quizzes, attending biweekly office hours, and others. They must demonstrate commitment to the entrepreneurial progress by completing the training and progressing on their respective ideas – hitting milestones. New opportunities and resources are unlocked at each stage to help all fellows build successful ventures such as seed funding, tailored mentorship, and market access.
It is a self-paced program – gain a robust toolkit of rigorous training materials such as bite-sized video lectures curated by award-winning faculty at Queen’s University. The curriculum is anchored around a systemic and rigorous framework created at MIT and outlined in the Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill Aulet at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship.
Benefits
- Global Visibility and Network:
- Liaise with mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship in North America
- Access a Global Network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni
- Join a cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent grads from across Africa
- Mentorship:
- Fellows are matched to industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final phase of the program
- Receive feedback at important startup milestones
- Best in Class Training
- Business Bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders who bring decades of combined entrepreneurship and C-Suite experience
- The Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven step-by-step framework for scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Pitch coaching and mastery
- Live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting are held throughout the program
- Opportunity to earn micro-credentials on Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University for successful completion the courses
- Mentorship and Networking
- Liaise with mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship in North America and across the globe.
- Access a Global Network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni
- Join a cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent grads from across Africa
- Fellows are matched to industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final phase of the program
- Receive feedback at important startup milestones
- Financial Support
- Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the pitch competition at the end of the program
- Opportunities to travel to the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre to build lasting connections that will help your further your business venture
Eligibility
- The program accepts recent students, recent graduates, and ecosystem amplifiers from all academic disciplines. Whether you are already working on a business or you are looking to start something new, they can help you.
- The Program is looking for participants who are committed to developing their entrepreneurial mindset and taking advantage of the resources provided to develop their own enterprises. The program is delivered virtually and can be completed at any pace, however, the most committed participants will commit at least 10 hours per week. In order to progress through the program phases, participants will submit assignments online, adhering to strict deadlines.
- The program content is delivered in English. Assignments and pitches must be completed in English.
- Prospective fellows who are unable to speak or write English are still encouraged to apply and form teams with someone who can fulfill all the requirements of the program in English.
Deadline: March 25, 2024
Click HERE to Apply
