This is the first in a five-week packed series taking you inside our Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) 2.0 entrepreneurship and venture development programme. Join us as we follow our scholars on their journey from idea to scalable venture.
Each week, we'll spotlight a different scholar's experience as they prepared to pitch their venture to a panel of expert judges at the SEF 2.0 pitching day on Tuesday 9 June. Fingers are crossed as winners will be announced on 4 July at this year’s summer garden party.
First up, Mendos Fidelis, an Advanced Materials for the Energy Transition student and Founder/CEO of Solartricity, shares his reflections on the pitch preparation process.
Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with risks, self-doubt, and constant learning. For many of us just starting out, one of the most valuable things we can do is learn from people who have already walked the path we hope to travel. That was exactly the feeling I left with after a truly insightful, rewarding, and thought-provoking pitch clinic session with the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Coordinator for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge, Mr. Uche Ogechukwu.
The Mastercard Foundation continues to play a strategic role in equipping scholars with the entrepreneurial skills, exposure, and mindset required not only to develop ideas, but to transform those ideas into impactful ventures. Through the SEF 2.0 programme, Mastercard Foundation Scholars are given a platform to think beyond academics and begin to see themselves as problem-solvers and builders. Even more importantly, the programme connects scholars with experienced professionals and mentors who help refine those ideas into something practical and business ready.
In May, I was privileged to be shortlisted among scholars selected to pitch business ideas at the forthcoming SEF 2.0 pitching day. Over the past eight months, I have been intentionally navigating my transition journey, exploring different possibilities for the future. One area I have remained deeply keen about is entrepreneurship.
I decided to fully maximise the opportunity, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the most meaningful decisions I have had on my journey of self-discovery and entrepreneurship.
Before the session, I genuinely believed I had a strong pitch and was ready for the audience. In my mind, the business model was clear and convincing. But the moment my idea went through proper "stress testing," it became obvious there was still significant work to do. That experience taught me an important lesson: through our own lens, our ideas often appear perfect until they are examined through the eyes of someone neutral, experienced, and objective.
Uche helped me carefully dissect my business model step by step. He challenged assumptions, questioned gaps, highlighted overlooked risks, and pushed me to think deeper about value creation, sustainability, scalability, and execution. There was no unnecessary criticism. Instead, every observation was constructive, practical, and thought-provoking. He created an environment where one could think freely without feeling intimidated. The session was both intellectually stimulating and surprisingly relaxing at the same time. It reminded me that creativity flourishes best in spaces where people feel comfortable enough to think honestly and critically.
One major lesson I took away is that entrepreneurs must constantly seek validation beyond their personal assumptions. Speak to people. Test your ideas.
Often, the errors that could cost you greatly in the future can be identified early simply by speaking to someone who has more experience.
I left the pitch clinic session feeling fulfilled, more refined, and even more determined to pursue entrepreneurship intentionally. I now have a clearer understanding of the areas I need to improve, and the kind of thinking required to build something meaningful and sustainable.
Entrepreneurship is bigger than personal ambition. When entrepreneurs succeed, society benefits. Businesses create jobs, solve problems, inspire innovation, and improve lives. And because entrepreneurship often involves managing people's trust, investments, and expectations, it demands careful thinking, humility, and continuous learning.
SEF 2.0 Pitch Day
To every scholar or young person considering entrepreneurship: never underestimate the power of mentorship and honest conversations. Sometimes, a single discussion with the right person can save you from years of avoidable mistakes.
Some opportunities do more than teach you skills they reshape the way you think. For me, SEF 2.0 was one of them.
By Mendos Fidelis
Mastercard Foundation Scholar,
MPhil Candidate in Advanced Materials for the Energy Transition and Founder/CEO, Solartricity.