The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship gives African students and recent graduates the opportunity to access training, resources, financial support and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start building their own venture. The 8-month program develops the exceptional entrepreneurial skillset and mindset of leaders to drive social and financial impact.

1000 entrepreners join the program in January and the top 10-15 pitch in the final pitch competition in August!

More information coming soon.

Registrations to attend the Final Pitch Competition will open in the summer!

Every year, our team organizes regional pitch competitions that give post-secondary students and other members of the Kingston community, the opportunity to advance their early stage venture through funding and mentorship. In the annual Dunin-Deshpande Summer Pitch Competition, teams have the opportunity to receive non dilutive seed funding. Competitors will go through a series of rounds and receive coaching from the DDQIC team and members of the global network to improve their final pitch. During the final round of the competition, audience members are invited to watch and participate in choosing the winner of the Wisdom of Market Award - a prize given to the audience's favorite venture.

Regional application normally opens in June and closes in July! 

Register to attend the Final Pitch Competition will open in the summer!

Connect with like-minded innovators, change-makers and experts from Queen's, Kingston and surrounding region at the Ignition Café! Hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, collaborate and foster meaningful connections.

This special Ignition Cafe will be in partnership with R4R@Q to provide a talk and panel on Entrepreneurship in Academia!

All are welcome! Light snacks and tea and coffee will be provided, feel free to bring your own lunch!

Link to register available soon

Connect with like-minded innovators, change-makers and experts from Queen's, Kingston and surrounding region at the Ignition Café! Hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, collaborate and foster meaningful connections.

This special Ignition Cafe will be a session to meet the QICSI Cohort 

QICSI is a 16-week summer program that offers the valuable opportunity to start your own business while being paid and receiving seed funding

All are welcome! Appetizers and cash bar will be available!

Link to register available soon

Connect with like-minded innovators, change-makers and experts from Queen's, Kingston and surrounding region at the Ignition Café! Hosted by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, collaborate and foster meaningful connections.

This special Ignition Cafe will be a co-founder matching session! If you are looking for co-founders to join your venture, interested in joining a company yourself, or looking to network with likeminded innovators, this is for you!

All are welcome! Appetizers and cash bar will be available!

DDQIC and @iBizAfrica Strathmore University invite you to join the virtual Launch of the DDQIC Strathmore Chapter on Friday, February 9, 2024, from 8:00 am to 19:00 am EST.

This event signifies the commencement of the partnership between @iBizAfrica Strathmore University and DDQIC. The program aims to enhance the innovative entrepreneurial skills of Strathmore students and recent graduates through training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and financial support for impactful startups.

The inaugural cohort includes 20 innovative Strathmore student entrepreneurs, who, alongside 1000 international startups, will have the opportunity to compete for admission to the final pitch competition for additional seed funding at the conclusion of the program. The winners will be awarded non-dilutive seed funding from a prize pool of $20,000 CAD and will receive mentorship from dedicated coaches and mentors from DDQIC and Strathmore's Global Network of industry experts and entrepreneurs.

The launch will feature discussions on the commercialization of innovative entrepreneurial ideas within universities and their role in addressing socio-economic challenges.
 

Secure your ticket for the launch event here.

Ignition Café is Kingston’s go-to monthly meet-up for anyone looking to meet like-minded change-makers, share ideas, & collaborate.

In February we will be celebrating Food Innovation! We will have booths from various food organizations that are involved in innovating food production, manufacturing, and more!

Register for the event: here

If you would like to have a booth at the event, please fill in this booth registration form by Thurs. February 1, 2024: Registration Form. Or contact Virginia at vls1@queensu.ca