The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Organised by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with Imperial College London has opened applications to supports promising entrepreneurs from low and middle income Commonwealth countries who are building innovative businesses with the potential to create jobs and drive economic growth.
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If you are an entrepreneur looking to scale your business, this guide explains everything you need to know about the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2026/2027.
Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Summary
| Fellowship Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | Commonwealth Startup Fellowship |
| Programme Duration | 6 Months |
| Organisers | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and Imperial College London |
| Programme Type | Startup Fellowship |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Eligible Applicants | Entrepreneurs from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries |
| Number of Participants | 20 Startups per Cohort |
| Bootcamp Location | Accra, Ghana |
| Capstone Week | London, United Kingdom |
| Grant Support | Up to £2,000 Equity Free Grant |
| Application Opening Date Application Closing Date | 3 August 2026 1 September 2026 |
About the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship
This programme combines in person learning with virtual training, allowing founders to develop practical business skills while continuing to build their companies.
Each fellowship cohort consists of only 20 early stage startups, making the programme highly competitive and providing participants with personalised support throughout the six month journey. By the end of the fellowship, participants are expected to:
- Scale their businesses more effectively.
- Improve their investment and business pitches.
- Build stronger leadership skills.
- Expand their professional networks.
- Create employment opportunities in their home countries.
What the Programme Includes
Participants will take part in:
- A two week intensive bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
- Six months of structured online learning.
- Business mentoring from experienced professionals.
- Networking with entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth.
- A one week Capstone event in London, United Kingdom.
- Opportunities to refine business strategy and investor pitches.
Financial Benefits
Successful fellows receive significant financial support throughout the programme that covers;
- Return airfare from the participant’s home country to Accra, Ghana.
- Accommodation during the Ghana bootcamp.
- Meals during official programme activities.
- Return airfare to London for the Capstone Week.
- Accommodation during the London programme.
- Visa application fee reimbursement.
- An equity free grant of up to £2,000 to support business or programme related expenses.
- Participants with disabilities receive additional financial support after an individual assessment.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements.
- Hold at least a graduate level qualification.
- Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible low or middle income Commonwealth country.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Demonstrate fluency in written and spoken English.
- Not have completed a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years.
- Be available for the full fellowship period.
Startup Requirements
In addition to personal eligibility, applicants must demonstrate that their business has already made meaningful progress.
Eligible startups should have:
- An innovative product, service, or business model.
- At least six months of active development.
- A committed founding team.
- A working minimum viable product (MVP), service, or prototype.
- Clear evidence of customer interest or market traction.
Evidence of traction includes:
- Early sales
- Presales
- Signed customer contracts
- Proof of market demand
- Customer testimonials
- Other measurable indicators of business growth
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
- Saint Helena
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
Required Documents
- Completed online application form.
- Passport or national identity card.
- Contact details for two referees.
- A one minute elevator pitch video.
- Business information.
- Team information.
Elevator Pitch Video Requirements
One of the most important parts of the application is the one minute video pitch. Applicants should clearly explain:
- The problem the business solves.
- The solution offered.
- Progress made so far.
- Why participation in the fellowship will help the business grow.
The video should:
- Be submitted in a compatible format such as MP4.
- Work on both Windows and Mac devices.
- Be easily accessible without additional permissions.
- Include any required password in the application form if password protected.
Note that applications with inaccessible videos will not proceed to the next stage.
Step by Step Application Process
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Review both the personal and business eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather your identification, referee details, and business information.
Step 3: Record Your Elevator Pitch
Create a clear one minute video explaining your startup and its impact.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Submit your application through the official Commonwealth Startup Fellowship application portal link provided below.
Step 5: Review Before Submission
Applications cannot be edited after submission, so carefully review every section before submitting.
Step 6: Await the Selection Process
Successful applicants will be invited to join the next fellowship cohort.
Applications Deadline: 1 September 2026
CLICK HERE TO START YOUR APPLICATION
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common application mistakes:
- Applying with only a business idea and no working product.
- Uploading a video that cannot be accessed.
- Providing weak evidence of customer demand.
- Waiting until the last minute to submit your application.
- Choosing referees who cannot effectively support your application.
- Forgetting that applications cannot be edited after submission.
Why This Fellowship Stands Out
Unlike many startup competitions that focus only on funding, the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship provides a complete business development experience.
Participants benefit from:
- International business exposure.
- Leadership development.
- Expert mentorship.
- Global networking opportunities.
- Investor ready pitch training.
- Equity free financial support.
These resources help founders build businesses that continue growing long after the fellowship ends.
