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.
Fellowships
The Legatum Center administers a competitive fellowship program for incoming and current MIT graduate students, across all academic and professional disciplines, who demonstrate the potential to create innovative, sustainable, for-profit enterprises that promote prosperity in low-income countries and who are committed to implementing their business plans upon graduation.
Grants
These grants fund market research, travel, accommodations, project scoping, and pilot studies or proofs of concept. Previous seed grant teams or members thereof are welcome to apply again if they have signficantly advanced their project in the interim.
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
The Legatum Center's team includes visiting scholars who increase the range of expertise at the Center, work with the Fellows on their projects, and pursue projects related to the Center's mission.
Class 15.S15
Entrepreneurship and Prosperity in Low-income Countries, 15.S15 Course Description and Objectives
This course examines how innovations and entrepreneurship can give rise to prosperity in low- income countries, and helps students participate in that opportunity.
