Information for Candidates

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 programme 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 programme, entrepreneurs will be equipped to build thriving businesses, scale operations effectively, and drive job creation in their home countries.

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.

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 and Zambia

How to apply

Applications for Commonwealth Startup Fellowships are now open. You can access the application form here.

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.

Completing the application form

Applications for Commonwealth Startup Fellowships are now open. You can access the application form here.

In the application form, prospective Fellows are asked to:

List up to two undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained (where applicable)
Provide details of up to two entries of previous employment history and explain how each job is relevant to the programme you wish to undertake in the UK (up to 100 words per employment)
List names and positions of up to three referees who are qualified to comment on both your capacity to benefit from your proposed fellowship and your ability to deliver development impact afterwards. One of your referees must be your current or most recent employer
List information about your business, including if and where it’s registered and your role within it.
Describe any progress or traction you have made on your startup. (up to 250 words). You should include any notable achievements, measurable outcomes (such as number of users, sign-ups), revenue to date, number of prototypes tested, etc. You should also include any market, and technological research you have completed.
Describe what competitor research have you done to understand your direct and indirect competitors. (up to 150 words)
Describe your idea’s Intellectual Property (IP) protection and ownership status, if any. (up to 150 words) If you are unsure about your IP see the following guidance: https://www.gov.uk/intellectual-property-an-overview
Provide a 1 minute video elevator pitch, clearly explaining the problem your business is solving, the solution it offers, the progress so far and what difference taking part in this programme will make.
Explain the problem your business is aiming to solve (up to 150 words)
Explain your solution, how it works and how it is innovative (up to 150 words)
Explain why you are the right team (or solo founder) to grow your startup. You should include your collective skills, knowledge, competencies, qualifications, commitment. Identify any gaps in your team. (up to 150 words)
Describe your motivation for joining the programme. You should include your goals, reasons, or objectives you want to achieve on the programme. (up to 150 words)”
Provide a scan of your passport or national identity card

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. See the CSC disability support statement for more information