Progress Through Innovation
Transformative innovation, entrepreneurial leadership and grassroots development are the forces that drive the Legatum Center’s programs, combining to create a solid platform for sustainable development and prosperity. By promoting enterprises that engage local human resources, our programs encourage broad-spectrum innovation and competition in the very places where development is most urgently needed.
The Legatum Center’s programs aim to commercialize new technologies, while exploring the application of practical, enterprise-based solutions to address deep-rooted problems in low-income countries.
Summer internship opportunities in Africa>>
Fellowships
The Legatum Center administers a competitive fellowship program for incoming and current MIT graduate students, across all academic disciplines, who demonstrate the potential to create sustainable, for-profit enterprises in low-income countries. The Center provides financial assistance, specialized seminars, business plan coaching, and opportunities for fellows to engage with prominent entrepreneurs, thought-leaders and investors.
Grants
The Legatum Center provides seed grants to teams of MIT students who are working on innovative, sustainable projects in low-income countries. These grants fund market research, travel, project scoping, and pilot studies.
Conferences
The Legatum Center’s annual conference brings together thought-leaders and entrepreneurs from around the globe to discuss international development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Lecture Series
As part of its ongoing Lecture Series, the Legatum Center invites entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, intellectuals and public officials to MIT to share their experiences and ideas.
Affiliates
In addition to its core team, the Legatum Center leverages the expertise and experience of entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers through its affiliates program.

