Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship

The Entrepreneurial Design Fellowship by TICO supports young innovators in Rwanda to build sustainable ventures through design thinking, mentorship, and community testing.

What it offers

• Innovation & Design track: Identify community/market challenges, apply design thinking tools, develop early-stage solutions and prototypes, and gain entrepreneurial mindset and skills.
• Community Action & Mentorship track: Test solutions in real communities, gather feedback, refine ideas, and receive continuous mentorship.
• Opportunity & Acceleration: Pitching/Demo Day, Career Kick Start, networking, financial literacy exposure, and linkages to jobs, incubation, and finance.

Who can apply

• Age: 21–35 years.
• Residency: Must be a resident of Rwanda.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or current university student.
• Passion: Strong interest in sustainability and entrepreneurship.
• Availability: Available for the full program duration.
• Encouraged applicants: Young women, people living with disabilities, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.

What you'll do

• Jun 29–Jul 15, 2026: Submit your application online.
• Jul 27–31, 2026: Innovation & Design innovation sprint.
• Aug 3–Oct 2, 2026: Community Action & Mentorship mentorship sessions and community project implementation.
• Oct 21–23, 2026: Opportunity & Acceleration Pitching, Career Kickstart, Graduation and awards ceremony.

How to apply

• Submit your application online during the application period.

Good to know

• Deadline: July 15, 2026.
• The program is fully funded.