Applications Open: 2 June – 30 June 2025
Are you a founder from a low- or middle-income Commonwealth country with a high-potential startup ready to scale? The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship (CSF) is your gateway to transformative business growth, global mentorship, and equity-free funding. Backed by Imperial Enterprise Lab, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, this six-month fellowship will accelerate your journey as a global entrepreneur.
About the Fellowship
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a fully funded, six-month hybrid programme designed to support visionary founders working on innovative products, services, or solutions. The programme offers a blend of in-person and virtual experiences, beginning with an immersive two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana (November 2025), followed by five months of online training, mentorship, and peer networking.
Selected teams will also have the opportunity to access the £35,000 Fellows Fund—a pool of equity-free grants to help advance their startups. A final Capstone Event in London, UK (May 2026) will allow top participants to pitch to investors and industry leaders.
What’s Included
In-person Bootcamp – Accra, Ghana (November 2025)
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Intensive workshops on leadership, scaling, team building, fundraising, and sales
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Deep dive into the Ghanaian startup ecosystem
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Launch event and pitch preparation
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One-on-one business coaching
Virtual Programme (November 2025 – May 2026)
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Monthly business coaching and venture reviews
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Peer-to-peer networking and mentoring sessions
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Expert-led training tailored to your growth stage
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Monthly programme check-ins to track progress
Capstone Event – London, UK (May 2026)
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Pitch your venture to investors and global stakeholders
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Network with Commonwealth partners, mentors, and fellow founders
Learning Outcomes
Participants will leave the programme equipped to:
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Refine business models and go-to-market strategies
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Strengthen leadership and team-building capabilities
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Understand and navigate global startup ecosystems
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Develop effective branding, sales strategies, and financial forecasting
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Build resilience, prevent burnout, and support team well-being
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Set actionable goals for long-term personal and professional growth
Fellowship Eligibility
To apply, you must:
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Be a graduate or hold an equivalent qualification
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Be a citizen or refugee from a low- or middle-income Commonwealth country
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Be permanently residing in an eligible country
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Demonstrate fluency in English (written and spoken)
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Not have held a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the past five years
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Be available to attend both in-person and virtual programme components
Startups must show:
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Innovation in product, service, or market
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Minimum six months of active development
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A working MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
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Strong evidence of traction (sales, pre-sales, user base, contracts, etc.)
Key Dates
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Applications Open: 2 June 2025
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Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
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In-person Bootcamp: 15–29 November 2025 (Accra, Ghana)
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Online Programme: 30 November 2025 – 15 May 2026
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Capstone Event: May 2026 (London, UK)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the programme fully funded?
Yes. Travel, accommodation, and meals during the Accra bootcamp are covered. Select participants for the Capstone in London will also be supported.
Q: Do you provide funding?
Yes. Participants can apply for a share of the £35,000 Fellows Fund, an equity-free grant pool to support business development.
Q: Can multiple founders join?
Only one founder per team will attend the bootcamp in person. Co-founders can participate in the virtual programme.
Q: Do you help with visas and accessibility needs?
Yes, we offer visa support and accessibility accommodations. Details will be shared with selected fellows.
Q: Is there a cost to participate?
No. The programme is fully funded.
For a full list of FAQs, eligibility countries, and application support, visit our official CSF page or contact us directly.
Apply between 2 June and 30 June 2025 and take the next big step in your entrepreneurial journey with the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship.
This is your chance to join a transformative program and scale your business with the support of Imperial College London.
Apply now: Click here to submit your application.
With the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, Imperial College London aims to empower entrepreneurs to create lasting change. Don’t miss this chance to fuel your startup’s growth and join a global community of innovators!
Contact Information
📞 +44 (0)20 7594 1964
📧 enterprise.lab@imperial.ac.uk
🌐 imperialenterpriselab.com
