This week, we welcomed 23 new Commonwealth Startup Fellows as they begin a dynamic six-month fellowship to elevate their entrepreneurial leadership and scale their businesses globally.
Through a bespoke programme of workshops, coaching, masterclasses, and mentorship, the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship will empower the Fellows to refine their business strategies, increase their reach, and grow their operational activities.
Aimed at igniting high‑potential startups from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, this breakthrough initiative, developed in partnership with Imperial College London, will foster business collaboration and accelerate job creation throughout the Commonwealth.
Selected from more than 1,800 applicants, the new cohort of Commonwealth Startup Fellows bring unique experience to the programme and represent countries, including Bangladesh, Botswana, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the startups are engaged in addressing wider development challenges, from sustainable agriculture and clean water access to gender equity and the circular economy.
From bootcamp to boardroom
The fellowship began with a two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana which focuses on honing business strategies, developing new skills, and sharpening networking approaches. Led by instructors from Imperial Enterprise Lab and Imperial Global Ghana, the Fellows are laying the groundwork for personal and professional growth during the fellowship and beyond. Throughout the first week, the Fellows have been supported by facilitators including Commonwealth Startup Fellowship alumnus Luther Jessie Quarshie, whose Ghana-based business Agrimercarb is tackling economic and environmental challenges across the country.
Commonwealth Startup Fellows at the British High Commission in Ghana
Following the bootcamp, the Fellows will participate in five months of online training which to embed the learnings from the fellowship and feed into the running of their ventures. The fellowship culminates with a celebration in London in May 2026 when the Fellows will have the chance to pitch their startups to investors and industry leaders.
Throughout the programme, the Fellows have access to a global network of founders and Commonwealth Scholars working in a range of sectors to forge new opportunities and help them overcome the challenges of scaling their businesses.
Commonwealth Alumni will play an active role in supporting this cohort of Fellows through the Venture Review Panels, which assess and advise on the long-term strategic direction of the startups.
Expanding the entrepreneurial ecosystem
As part of the bootcamp, the Fellows are encouraged to strengthen their professional networks and build relationships with businesses around the Commonwealth. By cultivating these relationships, the Fellows and their startups can tap into a network of shared language, legal frameworks, and democratic values across member states that fosters a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.
To kickstart these connections, the Fellows joined a special reception for Commonwealth Alumni and leaders from the Ghanaian business community at the British High Commission in Accra on Thursday 20 November.
The reception was hosted by Deputy High Commissioner to Ghana, Keith McMahon MBE, and attended by representatives from the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, and The National Youth Authority.
John Apea, Head of Mission, Ghana for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council and Chief Executive Officer of eTranzact, said:
‘The advantage to me of the Commonwealth is second to none. The Commonwealth runs like a family…through one organisation the possibility is endless.’
Commonwealth Alumnus Alex Kojo Tetteh
Among the notable guests was Commonwealth Alumnus Alexander Kojo Tetteh, Founder and President of the Ghana Chamber of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities and Executive President of the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disabilities, who has dedicated his career to improving the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities in Ghana.
Tackling the employment gap
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship was introduced earlier this year in response to the urgent need for meaningful job creation and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. By nurturing and challenging the Fellows to unleash their potential, this programme will empower them to become the next generation of business leaders and job creators in the Commonwealth.
Professor Robin Mason, Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of Birmingham, said:
‘We are delighted to be working with Imperial to nurture these promising entrepreneurs and help them scale their startups to create real impact. We look forward to seeing the Fellows flourish over the next six months and contribute to the Commonwealth’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is proving what’s possible when higher education, industry, and decisionmakers unite with a shared vision for a better world.’
Sarah Ranchev-Hale, Head of Imperial Enterprise Lab, said:
‘These 23 rising stars bring bold ideas and a deep commitment to solving real-world challenges. We’re proud to support these inspiring entrepreneurs through the Imperial Enterprise Lab and Imperial Global Ghana, helping them build the skills, networks, and confidence to grow their ventures and deliver meaningful change in their regions. Now in its second year, the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is proving to be a catalyst for unlocking entrepreneurial talent, attracting investment and collaboration, and accelerating inclusive growth.’
Discover more about the second cohort of Commonwealth Startup Fellows and their innovative startups.
