Imperial College London Commonwealth Startup Fellowships for Entrepreneurs

Commonwealth Startup Fellowships are designed to ignite and elevate high-potential startups from low and middle income Commonwealth countries. The programme runs for six months and combines immersive in-person experiences with online learning. The CSC and Imperial College London state that the programme aims to equip entrepreneurs to scale their businesses successfully, pitch fluently, and drive job creation in their home countries.

The programme requires one person from each business to attend a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana and a weeklong series of capstone events at the end of the programme. The stated in-person components include the bootcamp in Accra, Ghana and the Capstone Week in London, UK.

Eligibility is assessed through listed fellow criteria and the application process. Applicants must submit a complete online application and provide business information, team information, two referees, and a one-minute video elevator pitch. The CSC uses personal information to conduct necessary due diligence checks before proceeding with formal agreement or contractual relationship.

Support is provided for the fellowship period described as six months and includes approved return travel to the in-person bootcamp and to the Capstone Week, visa fee reimbursement, and up to £2,000 in equity free grants for business or participation-related costs. The award may be terminated for unsatisfactory conduct, progress, attendance, violation of visa conditions, or if the delivery partner cannot proceed. No post-programme obligations are stated beyond the Code of Conduct expectations for award holders.

• Be of at least graduate level
• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible low or middle income Commonwealth country
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Be fluent in written and spoken English
• Not have undertaken a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship within the last five years (at the time of taking up the award)
• Be available to undertake the fellowship from the prescribed start date (16 November 2026)
• Be available to attend the Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana (estimated 25 January – 4 February 2027)
• Be available to attend the Capstone Week in London, UK (estimated 14 – 21 May 2027)
• Have a startup registered as a legal entity in accordance with local regulations
• Demonstrate evidence of innovation (product, service, business model, or approach to addressing a market need)
• Have progressed beyond the idea, prototype, and pilot stages
• Have been actively operating the business for at least twelve months and be able to demonstrate meaningful progress
• Have a product or service available to customers
• Demonstrate customer demand through paying customers and evidence of ongoing customer adoption (including repeat purchases, contract renewals, recurring revenue, or sustained usage)
• Operate through a sustainable business model and not be primarily dependent on donations, philanthropy, or grant funding
• Create positive economic, social, or environmental outcomes through core activities
• Have evidence of commercial traction, growth, and potential to scale
• Be seeking to scale customer base, operations, impact, or geographic reach
• In addition, the CSC requires that personal information is used to conduct necessary due diligence checks, and candidates must cooperate; candidates who do not agree to data use will not be able to proceed further with selection
• Not be eligible to apply if the applicant is an employee, former employee, or relative of an employee of the Government of the United Kingdom; or a staff member of The Association of Commonwealth Universities, the British Council or Imperial College London; or a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner, former Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner or a relative of a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner
• Former employees of the listed organisations are eligible three years after ceasing their employment
• Any applicant convicted of bribery will be banned from reapplying for up to five years

• Approved return travel from the Fellow’s home country to the in-person bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, including accommodation, travel, and catering
• Approved return travel from the Fellow’s home country to the in-person Capstone Week in London, UK, including accommodation, travel, and catering
• Reimbursement of the standard visa application fee
• Up to £2,000 in equity free grants for business or participation-related costs
• If a Fellow declares a disability, a full assessment of needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC

1. Apply through the online application portal (the CSC cannot accept applications or documentation not submitted via the online application portal).
2. Complete the application form by listing information about the business, the applicant’s role, and information about the team.
3. Provide the names and positions of two referees qualified to comment on the applicant’s capacity to benefit from the fellowship.
4. Submit a one-minute video elevator pitch covering the problem the business solves, the solution, progress so far, and what difference taking part in the programme will make.
5. Upload a scan of the applicant’s passport or national identity card.
6. Submit the online application; once submitted, the application cannot be edited or changed in any way.
7. Participate in CSC due diligence checks using the personal information provided; the CSC may request further information if needed.

• Names and positions of two referees qualified to comment on the applicant’s capacity to benefit from the fellowship
• A one-minute video elevator pitch (provided in a compatible format for playback across Windows and Mac devices, e.g. MP4; password protection is allowed using the space available in the application form to list the video password)
• A scan of the applicant’s passport or national identity card