Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 

A 06 Months Fellowship by Commonwealth UK and the prestigious Imperial College London 

What is Commonwealth Startup Fellowship ?

• This six-month program is designed to fuel high-potential startups through intensive in-person and online learning. You’ll gain essential skills, tailored coaching, and access to a powerful global network to help you overcome barriers and scale up your business.
• The program begins in March 2025 with a fully funded two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, plus ongoing online support with business coaching, expert-led sessions, and valuable peer connections.
• One founder from each selected team will participate in-person, while co-founders and team members can access the remote portion, connecting with global mentors and industry experts from across the Commonwealth.
• In addition to the training and mentorship, participating teams can apply for financial support from the Fellows Fund, a pot of £35,000 in equity free grants. This funding is available to cover business related costs to help you develop and grow your startup.
• Select participants will be invited to a Capstone in London, UK, where they will have the chance to pitch to investors and industry leaders.

Deadline to apply: 17 February, 2025
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Which Countries People can apply ?
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

Application Form: https://fs29.formsite.com/m3nCYq/3uxcludtoh/login
Main Website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-startup-fellowship-information-for-candidates/

Fellow eligibility 

• 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 

• 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. 

Financial assistance

• 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 
• Select participants will be invited to a Capstone in London, UK, where they will have the chance to pitch to investors and industry leaders.

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