The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship will run for six months and is designed to ignite and elevate high-potential startups from low and middle income Commonwealth countries. The program is made up of a combination of immersive in-person experiences and online learning, to provide participants with essential skills, cutting-edge knowledge, and a robust global network.

The CSC and Imperial College London intend that by the end of the program, entrepreneurs will be equipped to build thriving businesses, scale operations effectively, and drive job creation in their home countries.

Fellow Eligibility

To be eligible for these Fellowships, prospective Fellows must:

Be of at least graduate level;
Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible low or middle-income Commonwealth country;
Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
Be fluent in written and spoken English.
Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years (at the time of taking up the award)
Be available to undertake their fellowship from the prescribed start date

In addition, they must demonstrate:

Evidence of innovation, in terms of product, service, or market
Active development for at least six months and demonstrable commitment from team members
A working minimum viable ‘product’, service and/or prototype
Significant evidence of customer engagement or traction in the form of early sales or pre-sales . proof of interest or demand, signed contracts or other relevant evidence.

Benefits

A cohort of 20 early stage start-ups will be recruited. One person from each business must be available to attend a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana at the end of March 2025.
There is also the possibility for representatives from outstanding organisations to travel to London in the UK later in the year for a series of exciting capstone events.

Financial assistance

Each Fellowship provides:

Approved return travel from the Fellow’s home country to the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
Accommodation, travel and catering for the duration of the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
Reimbursement of the standard visa application fee.
Reimbursement of vaccination costs
Access to a Fellow’s Grant Fund for business or participation-related costs
If a Fellow declares a disability, a full assessment of needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.

Eligible countries

Bangladesh
Belize
Botswana
Cameroon
Dominica
Eswatini
Fiji
Gabon
The Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
India
Jamaica
Kenya

Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritius
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Rwanda
St Helena
St Lucia
St Vincent and The Grenadines
Samoa
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
South Africa