Applications are now open for Cohort 4 of the Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship, a fully funded youth entrepreneurship program aimed at equipping aspiring entrepreneurs in Rwanda with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities needed to develop sustainable business solutions.
Organized by the Thriving Inclusive Community Organization (TICO), the fellowship is designed to empower young people to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders through innovation, design thinking, and practical project implementation.
Interested applicants have until July 15, 2026, to submit their applications for the fourth cohort of the fellowship.
Fellowship Promotes Sustainable Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship is a fully sponsored program that guides participants through the entrepreneurial journey while placing sustainability at the center of innovation and business development.
According to the organizers, the initiative seeks to nurture entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development among young people who frequently encounter systemic barriers, discrimination, and limited access to opportunities.
Throughout the fellowship, participants will receive practical training, mentorship, and exposure to entrepreneurial ecosystems that support the development of impactful solutions addressing real community and market challenges.
Fellows Will Receive Comprehensive Entrepreneurship Training
The fellowship is structured into three key learning phases that provide participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Innovation and Design
During the first phase, fellows will:
- Identify pressing community and market challenges.
- Learn and apply design thinking methodologies.
- Develop innovative ideas and early-stage prototypes.
- Build a strong entrepreneurial mindset.
- Strengthen problem-solving and innovation skills.
This stage focuses on helping participants transform ideas into practical solutions capable of creating meaningful social and economic impact.
Community Action and Mentorship
Following the innovation sprint, participants will move into the implementation phase, where they will test their ideas within real communities.
Activities during this phase include:
- Piloting entrepreneurial solutions.
- Collecting community feedback.
- Refining and improving project ideas.
- Participating in continuous mentorship sessions with experienced professionals.
- Implementing community-based projects.
The mentorship component is designed to ensure fellows receive ongoing guidance as they develop and strengthen their entrepreneurial initiatives.
Opportunity and Acceleration Phase
The final phase of the fellowship focuses on preparing participants for future entrepreneurial and career opportunities.
Highlights include:
- Pitching innovative solutions during Demo Day.
- Career Kick Start activities.
- Professional networking opportunities.
- Financial literacy exposure.
- Connections to employment opportunities.
- Linkages to business incubation programs.
- Access to financing opportunities.
- Graduation and awards ceremony.
This phase aims to position participants for continued growth beyond the fellowship by connecting them with relevant entrepreneurial ecosystems and professional networks.
Fellowship Timeline
The 2026 Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship will follow the schedule below:
- June 29 – July 15, 2026: Application period.
- July 27 – July 31, 2026: Innovation and Design Sprint.
- August 3 – October 2, 2026: Community Action and Mentorship, including mentorship sessions and community project implementation.
- October 21 – October 23, 2026: Opportunity and Acceleration, featuring Demo Day, Career Kick Start activities, graduation, and the awards ceremony.
Eligibility Requirements
The fellowship is open to young people residing in Rwanda who meet the following criteria:
- Aged between 21 and 35 years.
- Resident of Rwanda.
- Holder of a bachelor’s degree or currently enrolled as a university student.
- Passionate about sustainability and entrepreneurship.
- Available to participate throughout the entire fellowship period.
Fellowship Encourages Inclusive Participation
TICO is encouraging applications from individuals representing diverse backgrounds, with particular emphasis on inclusive participation.
Priority is given to:
- Young women.
- People living with disabilities.
- Refugees.
- Other vulnerable groups.
By promoting diversity and inclusion, the fellowship seeks to ensure that entrepreneurial opportunities are accessible to young people from communities that are often underrepresented in innovation and business development programs.
Building the Next Generation of Sustainable Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship continues to provide a valuable platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop innovative ideas while addressing real-world community challenges. Through mentorship, practical project implementation, networking, and professional development, participants gain the knowledge and confidence needed to launch sustainable ventures and strengthen their leadership potential.
As applications remain open for Cohort 4, eligible young people across Rwanda are encouraged to take advantage of this fully funded opportunity to accelerate their entrepreneurial journey and contribute to sustainable community development.
