The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2026 is inviting applications from founders of high-potential startups in eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including several African countries.
The six-month programme combines an intensive in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, online business coaching and expert support, and a final capstone event in London, UK.
The fellowship is designed for startups that have moved beyond the idea and prototype stages and are already demonstrating customer demand, commercial traction and potential to scale.
The programme is developed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with Imperial College London.
What the Fellowship Offers
Selected founders will receive:
- A six-month programme combining in-person and online learning.
- A fully funded two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
- Business workshops covering leadership, scaling, fundraising, sales and team building.
- Monthly one-to-one business coaching.
- One-to-one sessions with subject-matter experts.
- Venture review sessions with experienced advisors.
- Peer-to-peer learning and networking with entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth.
- Exposure to the Ghanaian entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Opportunities to connect with investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers and ecosystem experts.
- An opportunity to pitch to investors and industry leaders during the London Capstone.
- Up to £2,000 in equity-free funding through the Fellows Fund for eligible business or participation-related costs.
Travel, accommodation, food and training costs associated with the Accra bootcamp and London Capstone are covered by the programme. Standard visa application fees are also reimbursed.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is intended for founders of startups that are already operating and preparing for growth.
Applicants must:
- Be at least graduate level.
- 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.
- Be fluent in written and spoken English.
- Be available to begin the fellowship on November 16, 2026.
- Be available to attend the Accra bootcamp in person.
- Be available to attend the London Capstone in person.
- Have a legally registered startup.
- Have operated the business for at least 12 months.
- Have progressed beyond the idea, prototype and pilot stages.
- Have a product or service available to customers.
- Demonstrate paying customers and ongoing customer adoption.
- Have a sustainable revenue model rather than relying primarily on grants or donations.
- Demonstrate commercial traction and growth potential.
- Be seeking to expand their customer base, operations, impact or geographic reach.
The programme is open to startups across sectors, although technology-enabled businesses and ventures that could benefit from scientific expertise, innovation ecosystems, research facilities and international networks may find particular value in the fellowship.
Areas highlighted by the programme include climate and sustainability, clean energy, health and wellbeing, advanced technologies, digital innovation, and science- and engineering-led solutions.
Applicants must be citizens or eligible residents of one of the programme’s participating Commonwealth countries.
The eligible African countries are: Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, The Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia.
Programme Structure
- Accra Bootcamp: The programme begins with a two-week residential bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, currently scheduled for January 25 to February 4, 2027.
- Online Programme: Following the bootcamp, Fellows participate in online activities including:
- Monthly one-to-one business coaching.
- Peer-to-peer sessions.
- Expert meetings.
- Venture review sessions.
- Business development support.
- Continued networking across the Commonwealth.
London Capstone: Selected Fellows will attend a final Capstone Week in London, scheduled for May 14–21, 2027. The event will provide opportunities to pitch to investors and industry leaders and connect with organisations across the Commonwealth entrepreneurial ecosystem.