With a grant of up to £35,000 and a fully funded trip to Accra & London : Apply for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship (CSF)
Applications are open for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship (CSF).
This six-month initiative is crafted to accelerate promising startups through a blend of immersive in-person experiences and virtual learning. Participants will strengthen their business capabilities, receive customized mentorship, and tap into a vibrant international network to tackle challenges and drive growth.
The program officially kicks off in November 2025 with a fully sponsored, two-week residential bootcamp held in Accra, Ghana. Following the in-person phase, participants continue to benefit from virtual support through expert-led workshops, business coaching, and interactive peer networking.
One founder from each selected venture will attend the Ghana bootcamp in person, while co-founders and additional team members can join the virtual sessions and engage with experienced mentors and specialists from across the Commonwealth.
Beyond learning and mentorship, teams will be eligible to apply for funding through the Fellows Fund, which distributes up to £35,000 in total non-dilutive grants. Each participating startup can request up to £2,000 to help cover essential operational or developmental expenses.
Outstanding participants may also receive an invitation to attend the final Capstone event in London, where they’ll have the opportunity to showcase their businesses to potential investors and sector leaders.
An upcoming online briefing will take place on 23 June at 3 PM BST — a chance to explore the programme further and connect with the organizing team.
Programme Components
In-Person Bootcamp in Accra:
- Official launch and introductory event
- Intensive workshops on leadership, team building, scaling operations, fundraising, and sales
- Insights into Ghana’s startup landscape
- Personalized business coaching sessions
Virtual Programme Features:
- One-on-one coaching provided monthly
- Regular peer networking and collaboration sessions
- Meetings with subject matter experts
- Monthly reviews of business progress
- Ongoing programme engagement and check-ins
Don't miss out on the application deadline from 2nd to 30th June 2025.
Scroll down below for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity.
Additional Information
- Yes, travel, accommodation, and meals are covered for one founder per team for the duration of the in-person bootcamp in Ghana. This support also includes costs for visas and necessary vaccinations to ensure participants can fully engage in the programme.
Hold at least a graduate-level qualification.
Be a citizen of, or have received refugee status from, an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth nation.
Be a permanent resident of one of the eligible Commonwealth countries.
Demonstrate fluency in both spoken and written English.
Not have participated in a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the past five years as of the program's start date.
Be available to begin the fellowship on the designated start date.
Additionally, applicants must show:
Clear evidence of innovation in terms of the startup’s product, service, or target market.
A track record of active development for a minimum of six months, with committed involvement from team members.
A functional minimum viable product (MVP), service, or prototype.
Tangible indicators of customer interest or engagement, such as early sales, signed agreements, expressions of interest, or other forms of traction.
The applying venture must be officially registered in the applicant’s country of residence. Unfortunately, concepts that are still in the ideation or pre-registration stages do not qualify.
Only one application per organization is allowed. If multiple submissions are received from the same entity, only the first one will be reviewed. Applicants are strongly advised to complete all necessary checks before submitting, as edits cannot be made once the application is submitted.
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