Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program 202
Applications are now open for the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program, a funding and support initiative designed to help young entrepreneurs scale and stabilize their businesses.
The FAST Program supports alumni entrepreneurs who are navigating business transitions and need catalytic funding, mentorship, and capacity-building support to move to the next stage of growth.
About the FAST Program
The Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program is an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation aimed at strengthening alumni-led businesses by providing financial support and structured business development assistance.
The program recognizes that many young entrepreneurs face critical transition points — whether scaling operations, restructuring, adapting to market shifts, or strengthening sustainability. FAST is designed to provide the right combination of capital and guidance to help promising ventures grow responsibly and create impact.
What Selected Entrepreneurs Will Receive
Successful applicants may receive:
- Up to USD $15,000 in funding support
- Tailored mentorship
- Structured business development training
- Strategic guidance to strengthen operational capacity
- Access to networks within the Mastercard Foundation ecosystem
The funding is designed to help entrepreneurs stabilize, scale, or refine their businesses during key transition phases.
Who Can Apply?
The FAST Program is targeted at:
- Young entrepreneurs who are alumni of Mastercard Foundation programs
- Founders with active businesses that are currently operating
- Entrepreneurs navigating a growth, restructuring, or stabilization phase
- Business owners committed to social and economic impact
- Alumni seeking structured support to scale sustainably
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Clear business viability
- Defined market opportunity
- Measurable impact or growth potential
- Strong leadership and commitment to ethical entrepreneurship
Eligible Business Types
While sector focus may vary, the program typically supports ventures that:
- Create employment opportunities
- Contribute to community development
- Address local or regional economic challenges
- Demonstrate innovation and sustainability
Businesses at transition stages — such as early growth, post-pilot expansion, or adaptation to new market conditions — are particularly encouraged to apply.
What the Program Aims to Achieve
The FAST Program is designed to:
- Strengthen the resilience of alumni-led enterprises
- Improve business sustainability and long-term growth
- Enhance entrepreneurs’ managerial and strategic skills
- Enable job creation and community impact
- Support youth-led economic transformation
Selection Criteria
Applications will likely be assessed based on:
- Business model strength
- Growth potential
- Financial clarity and need
- Impact on community and job creation
- Founder’s leadership capacity
- Readiness to utilize mentorship and training effectively
Entrepreneurs should clearly articulate how the funding and support will help move their business forward.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Access to catalytic capital combined with mentorship is often what differentiates businesses that survive from those that scale. The FAST Program provides not just funding, but structured guidance and ecosystem access, a powerful combination for entrepreneurs in transition.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible applicants should:
- Visit the official FAST Program page.
- Carefully review eligibility and program details.
- Complete the online application form.
- Provide required business information and supporting documentation.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Application Deadline: March 20, 2026