The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2026 for early stage start-ups (Fully Funded to Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana plus £35,000 in equity free grants)

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Application Deadline: thirtieth June, 2025

Applications are actually open for the 2026 Commonwealth Startup Fellowship. The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship will run for six months and is designed to ignite and elevate high-potential startups from low and center revenue Commonwealth nations. The programme is made up of a mix of immersive in-person experiences and on-line studying, to present individuals with important expertise, cutting-edge data, and a strong world community.

The CSC and Imperial College London intend that by the top of the programme, entrepreneurs will probably be geared up to construct thriving companies, scale operations successfully, and drive job creation in their home nations.

A cohort of 20 early stage start-ups will probably be recruited. One individual from every enterprise have to be accessible to attend a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana from 14–30 November 2025. There can also be the chance for representatives from excellent organisations to journey to London in the UK later in the yr for a sequence of thrilling capstone occasions.

Benefits

Each Fellowship gives: 

• Approved return journey from the Fellow’s home nation to the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana. 
• Accommodation, journey and catering for the length of the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana. 
• Reimbursement of the usual visa application price. 
• Reimbursement of vaccination prices 
• Access to a Fellow’s Grant Fund for enterprise or participation-related prices 
• Select individuals will probably be invited to a Capstone in London, UK, the place they are going to have the prospect to pitch to buyers and trade leaders. 
• In addition to the coaching and mentorship, taking part groups can apply for monetary help from the Fellows Fund, a pot of £35,000 in equity free grants. This funding is on the market to cowl enterprise associated prices to enable you develop and develop your startup.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for these Fellowships, potential Fellows should: 

• Be of not less than graduate stage;  
• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee standing by an eligible low or center revenue Commonwealth nation;  
• Be completely resident in an eligible Commonwealth nation;  
• Be fluent in written and spoken English.  
• Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship inside the final 5 years (on the time of taking over the award) 
• Be accessible to undertake their fellowship from the prescribed begin date 

In addition, they need to exhibit:  

• Evidence of innovation, in phrases of product, service, or market   
• Active growth for not less than six-months and demonstrable dedication from staff members   
• A working minimal viable ‘product’, service and/or prototype   
• Significant proof of buyer engagement or traction in the type of early gross sales or pre-sales . proof of curiosity or demand, signed contracts or different related proof. 

Application Timeline

• 2 June 2025 – Applications Open
• 30 June 2025 – Application Deadline
• 15 November – 29 November 2025 – In-person Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana
• 30 November 2025 – 15 May 2026 – Online Programming
• May 2026 – In individual Capstone occasion in London, UK

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship