We are delighted to introduce the first cohort of Commonwealth Startup Fellows who began their programme this week with a bootcamp in Accra, Ghana.
Below is the list of twenty businesses and their founders, who join the CSF programme.
| James Ivisu Nyamai | BioAfriq Energy Limited |
| Akshay Kawale Erasure | Products & Innovations Private Limited |
| Nyifamu Ogechi Manzo | Farmatrix Agro and Technology Company |
| Editha Mshiu | FRESHPACK TECHNOLOGIES |
| Maryanne Gichanga | AgriTech Analytics Limited |
| Sang’udi Emmanuel | Sang’udi SarataniAI |
| Lazarous Siwelwa | Virgin Green Renewable Energy Limited |
| Energy Limited | Radease |
| Taiwo Emmanuel Oyewole | lifeandlimb.ai |
| Nishant Agarwal | Lifesten Health |
| Stephen Ogweno | KAMIM Technologies Limited |
| Adekoyejo Kuye | Hexpressions |
| Abhimanyu Singh | AGRIMERCARB LTD |
| Luther Quarshie | MommyKidz Ltd. |
| Nishat Anjum Palka | Kyuka ventures innovation hub |
| Jamal Sonko | Sollys Energy Limited |
| Martin Masiya | INNOVATIVE CLAN |
| Nfor Carlton Mbunwe | E-Moti |
| Denis Kirera Muchoki | Mpepu Energy |
| Madalitso Chimpeni | FARMSLATE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED |
| Ifeoluwa Olatayo | BioAfriq Energy Limited |
About the fellowship
Delivered in partnership with the Imperial Enterprise Lab, the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship supports startups from low-and- middle income Commonwealth countries that have the potential to accelerate job creation and enhance entrepreneurial leadership.
The six-month programme involves a range of in-person and online activities to provide the Fellows with hands-on training and bespoke tailored support to elevate their businesses. During the programme, the Fellows will learn about key business concepts and build up an international network of experts and entrepreneurs while developing and refining their business ideas.
Stage 1: Bootcamp
The first stage of the fellowship will involve a two-week bootcamp in Ghana which launches the programme with an intensive, hands-on training. Participants will refine their business plans, develop targeted growth strategies, and build a strong network with fellow entrepreneurs and experts.
CSC Commissioner, Professor Kevin Ibeh – the driving force behind this new programme – has joined the Fellows in Ghana to follow this initial stage of their journey and find out more about the impact they hope to achieve. Alongside his position as CSC Commissioner, Professor Ibeh is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at Birkbeck, University of London, specialising in entrepreneurship and innovation and is a long-term advocate for SME development.
Stage 2: Virtual support
Over the following five months teams will complete a programme of virtual sessions which will include monthly venture review and peer-to-peer sessions, bespoke expert guidance and branding advice alongside business coaching to help them build their business and enhance their ventures for the future.
Stage 3: Final Capstone and Investor Showcase
In September the founders will reconvene in London to pitch to a global audience of investors and industry professionals at Imperial College London. The event will feature high profile speakers from across the Commonwealth. Our founders will spend the week reflecting and forward planning, alongside attending roundtable events and networking opportunities with a range of Commonwealth focussed organisations. Our first cohort of Fellows will have officially completed the inaugural Commonwealth Startup Fellowship!
Applications for the second cohort of Commonwealth Startup Fellows, to start in November 2025, will open later this year. Find out more about the Commonwealth Startup Fellowships on our website.
