Commonwealth Startups Fellowship Program for Early Stage Startups

Imperial College London, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, has launched the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship. This six-month program is designed to support high-potential startups from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to scale their businesses and drive job creation.

Program Overview:

• Duration: Six months, commencing in March 2025.
• Structure: A blend of immersive in-person experiences and online learning, including:
  • Two-Week Bootcamp: A fully funded intensive session in Accra, Ghana, focusing on leadership, scaling strategies, team building, fundraising, and sales.
  • Online Support: Ongoing business coaching, expert-led sessions, and peer networking to address specific business challenges.
  • Capstone Event: Select participants may be invited to London, UK, for a capstone event featuring investor pitches and networking opportunities.
• Financial Support: Access to an equity-free Fellows Fund of £35,000 to support business-related expenses.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Educational Background: Applicants must be at least graduate level.
• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country, and be permanently resident in that country.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Previous Fellowships: Applicants should not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years.
• Availability: Must be available to commence the fellowship from the prescribed start date.
• Startup Requirements:
  • Demonstrated innovation in product, service, or market.
  • Active development for at least six months with committed team members.
  • A working minimum viable product, service, or prototype.
  • Evidence of customer engagement or traction, such as early sales, pre-sales, signed contracts, or other relevant indicators.

Eligible Countries for Commonwealth Startup Fellowship

The program is open to startups from various Commonwealth countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. A comprehensive list of eligible countries is available on the official CSC website.

Application Process:

• Application Form: Interested startups can apply for the fellowship here.
• Application Deadline: Wednesday, 15th January 2025.
  • Final Application Deadline: Monday, 17th February 2025.

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