Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We support current and aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their skills, refine their ideas, and expand their networks during their time in Cambridge.

Social Venture Residential

The three-day Social Venture Residential is run in collaboration with King’s College Entrepreneurship Lab and Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School. It’s designed to support students of all disciplines in developing sustainable and ethical projects with a positive social and environmental impact.

Participants have the opportunity to learn from the experience of successful social entrepreneurs and share and test their own ideas in an inclusive, supportive and friendly atmosphere.

Find out what current scholar Faith Okedoyin had to say about this year's residential.

Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund competition

The Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) competition is held each year, enabling Mastercard Foundation Scholars to pitch their business idea for the chance to win funding and further mentoring support.

Scholars can enter as an individual or as part of a team, first submitting a written entry outlining the idea and how it will contribute to climate resilience and sustainability in Africa. If shortlisted, entrants receive support to further develop their idea before presenting it to a panel of judges.  

Read about the 2025 competition winners and their ventures.

African Founders Webinar Series

These fortnightly webinars connect the Cambridge community with African founders building high-impact ventures across the continent to discuss venture creation, leadership, failure, ethics, and scaling in African contexts.

Anchored in the values of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the series champions youth agency, ethical entrepreneurship, participatory learning, and Africa’s long-term transformation.

Sessions are open to anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation and moderated by a current Mastercard Foundation Scholar.

Read a recap of the last webinar - in conversation with Ploutos Page founder Olapeju Nwanganga.