Overview

The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a six-month programme crafted to empower and accelerate promising startups from low- and middle-income Commonwealth nations. Combining immersive in-person sessions with online learning, the initiative aims to equip participants with critical skills, advanced insights, and a strong global network.

Through this collaboration between the CSC and Imperial College London, the programme aspires to help entrepreneurs build successful businesses, expand operations efficiently, and foster job creation in their respective countries.

A select group of 20 early-stage startups will join the Fellowship, with one representative from each business required to attend a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, at the end of March 2025. Additionally, top-performing startups may have the opportunity to participate in a series of dynamic capstone events in London later in the year.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

General Eligibility

• Hold at least a graduate-level qualification.
• Be a citizen of or hold refugee status in an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country.
• Be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth nation.
• Have proficiency in both written and spoken English.
• Not have participated in a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the past five years at the time of the award.
• Be available to commence the Fellowship on the specified start date.

Startup-Specific Requirements

Applicants must also demonstrate:

• Innovation in their product, service, or market approach.
• Active development of their startup for at least six months, with clear commitment from team members.
• A functional minimum viable product (MVP), service, or prototype.
• Strong evidence of customer engagement or market traction, such as early sales, pre-sales, expressions of interest, signed contracts, or similar indicators of demand.

Application Procedure

1. Visit the program's official website for detailed information about the fellowship.

2. Review Eligibility Criteria
   Carefully go through the eligibility requirements and ensure you meet all the conditions. Prepare the necessary documents for your application.

3. Complete the Application Form
   Fill out the application form, providing all the required details, documents, and essays.

4. Submit Relevant Information
   During the application process, you will be asked to:

   • Provide details about your qualifications, employment history, referees, and your startup.
   • Submit responses to essay questions related to your application.
   • Upload a scanned copy of your passport or national identity card.

What Financial Support is Available?

• Covered return travel expenses from the Fellow’s home country to the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
• Accommodation, transportation, and meals for the entire duration of the bootcamp in Accra.
• Reimbursement for the standard visa application fee.
• Reimbursement of vaccination costs.
• Access to a Fellows Grant Fund to cover business or participation-related expenses.
• For Fellows with declared disabilities, the CSC will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine eligibility for additional financial support.

Other Details

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, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia

For More Information

For more information click here.