Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025
A fully funded six-month accelerator program supporting startups from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries through immersive workshops, mentorship, and global networking.
🔍 Quick Snapshot
- Provider: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK) & Imperial Enterprise Lab, Imperial College London
- Opportunity Type: Fellowship (Startup Accelerator)
- Duration: Six months (March – September 2025)
- Application Deadline: 9 February 2025
- Locations: Accra, Ghana (bootcamp); Online; London, UK (capstone event)
- Themes: Startup innovation, entrepreneurship development, business scaling
🌍 About the Fellowship
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a fully funded accelerator supporting high-potential startups from eligible Commonwealth countries. It combines an immersive in-person bootcamp in Ghana, ongoing online coaching, and a capstone pitching event in London. The program aims to build entrepreneurial leadership, enhance product-market fit, and expand global networks.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- Founder with at least a bachelor's degree
- Citizen or refugee with permanent residency in an eligible low-/middle-income Commonwealth country (including Malaysia)
- Fluent in English
- Startup with ≥6 months active development and working MVP/product/service
- Evidence of customer traction (early sales/contracts)
- No Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in past 5 years
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
- Fully funded two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana (travel, accommodation, meals, visa, vaccinations included)
- Six months of online coaching, peer sessions, and expert mentorship
- Capstone pitching event in London for select founders
- Access to a Fellows’ Grant Fund (£35,000 equity-free grants)
- Global networking and leadership development
- Additional support for persons with disabilities
📝 How to Apply
- Register and apply via the official Commonwealth Startup Fellowship portal: imperialenterpriselab.com
- Complete the online application including startup details, founder credentials, and business overview
- Submit by the final deadline: 9 February 2025 (early deadline: 15 January 2025)
- Attend online info sessions if available (early January 2025)
- Wait for offer notification by 21 February 2025
📅 Program Timeline
- Applications Open: 18 December 2024
- Online Info Sessions: 6 January 2025
- Early Application Deadline: 15 January 2025
- Final Application Deadline: 9 February 2025
- Offers Extended: 21 February 2025
- Bootcamp in Accra: 24 March – 5 April 2025
- Online Programming: April – September 2025
- Capstone Event in London: 8–12 September 2025
🚀 Ready to Scale Your Startup?
Apply now for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025 and gain access to mentorship, funding, and a global network designed to help your startup thrive.
Apply via Imperial Enterprise LabQuestions? Visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.
Curated by Growth Forum Malaysia — inspiring youth leadership worldwide.
Source: imperialenterpriselab.com
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