Apply For Commonwealth Startup Fellowship (CSF) 2025

If you’re running a startup and based in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country, here’s a great opportunity to take your business to the next level.

The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship (CSF) is a six-month programme aimed at helping startups grow and reach more people. It focuses on businesses that are already up and running but need support to scale, connect with mentors, and attract more attention.

Applications are now open for the 2025 cohort.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, applicants must:

Have at least a graduate-level education.
Be a citizen of a low or middle-income Commonwealth country (or have refugee status in one).
Be living permanently in a Commonwealth country.
Be fluent in English (spoken and written).
Not have received a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in the past five years.
Be available to fully participate when the programme begins.

What Your Startup Should Have

Startups applying for the fellowship must show:

Innovation in their product, service, or how they deliver it.
At least six months of active work on the business.
A small, committed team working together.
A working version of your product or service (even if it’s still basic).
Some early signs of interest, like pre-orders, pilot users, or signed agreements.