This six-month programme is designed to fuel high-potential startups through intensive in-person and online learning. You’ll gain essential skills, tailored coaching, and access to a powerful global network to help you overcome barriers and scale up your business.
The programme begins in November 2025 with a fully funded two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, plus ongoing online support with business coaching, expert-led sessions, and valuable peer connections.
One founder from each selected team will participate in-person, while co-founders and team members can access the remote portion, connecting with global mentors and industry experts from across the Commonwealth.
In addition to training and mentorship, participating teams can apply for financial support through the Fellows Fund, which offers a total of £35,000 in equity-free grants. Each startup may apply for up to £2,000 to cover business-related expenses and support the development and growth of their venture.
Select participants will be invited to a Capstone in London, UK, where they will have the chance to pitch to investors and industry leaders.
Two-week in-person Bootcamp
- Launch event – Accra, Ghana
- Workshops, covering topics such as leadership, scaling a business, building a team, fundraising and sales.
- Exploration of the Ghana entrepreneurial ecosystem
- 1-2-1 business coaching
- Remote Content
- Monthly 1-2-1 business coaching
- Monthly peer to peer meetings
- 1-2-1 expert meetings
- Monthly venture review sessions
- Monthly programme check-ins
- Learning outcomes
By the end of this programme you will:
- Refine business plans, scale operations, implement lean practices, and develop go-to-market strategies to drive sustainable growth.
- Identify and develop personal leadership styles, enhance team dynamics, address skills gaps, and promote diversity to build effective teams.
- Understand and navigate local and global entrepreneurial ecosystems, identify key players, and leverage partnerships to support venture growth.
- Develop compelling brands, effective sales strategies, and robust financial forecasts to achieve business goals and secure funding.
- Build resilience, prevent burnout, foster team well-being, and cultivate a supportive entrepreneurial network for long-term success.
- Articulate goals, measure progress, and develop actionable plans for continuous personal and professional development beyond the programme.
Fellow Eligibility
To be eligible for these Fellowships, prospective Fellows must:
- 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 their fellowship from the prescribed start date;
In addition, they must demonstrate
- Evidence of innovation, in terms of product, service, or market
- Active development for at least six-months and demonstrable commitment from team members
- A working minimum viable ‘product’, service and/or prototype
- Significant evidence of customer engagement or traction in the form of early sales or pre-sales, proof of interest or demand, signed contracts or other relevant evidence.
Your startup must be a registered business in your respective country. Unfortunately, projects that are still in the idea or pre-registration phase are not eligible at this time.
Key dates
The programme comprises of a series of workshops, talks and networking sessions across multiple time zones. Attending all the sessions isn’t compulsory, although participation is encouraged.
- 2 June 2025 - Applications Open
- 30 June 2025 - Application Deadline
- 15 November - 29 November 2025 - In-person Bootcamp in Accra, Ghana
- 30 November 2025 - 15 May 2026 - Online Programming
- May 2026 - In person Capstone event in London, UK