The Commonwealth Secretariat officially launched the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025 on June 5, 2025, inviting early-stage entrepreneurs from across 56 member nations to apply for a place in one of the world’s most ambitious intergovernmental startup programs. This initiative will run for six months and aims to empower founders through access to global mentors, public-sector partnerships, and dedicated support from the Commonwealth’s innovation network.
The 2025 Fellowship follows the success of last year’s inaugural cohort, which supported 40 startups tackling problems in climate tech, fintech, agritech, and public health. This year, the program will scale up to include up to 60 founders — with a special focus on tech startups that align with the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Digital Transformation Agenda.
Entrepreneurs now have until June 30, 2025 to submit their applications.
The Commonwealth: A Launchpad for Global Innovation
The Commonwealth comprises 56 member countries spanning Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Europe. While its origins lie in historical and diplomatic ties, the modern Commonwealth prioritizes shared values of democracy, sustainable development, and innovation.
With over 2.5 billion citizens represented — and 60% under the age of 30 — the Commonwealth offers fertile ground for startup ecosystems to flourish. Many of its countries face common challenges such as climate vulnerability, digital inequality, and barriers to capital access. The Startup Fellowship program directly addresses these issues by connecting founders with policymakers, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs across borders.
By launching the 2025 edition, the Commonwealth signals a clear intention: it wants to position startups as engines of inclusive growth.
What the Fellowship Offers
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship provides much more than training. It offers a structured pathway to scale for startups solving high-impact problems.
Each selected founder will receive:
- Mentorship from global experts, including tech executives, public-policy strategists, and startup veterans.
- Access to exclusive pitching events, including the Commonwealth Innovation Forum in London.
- Virtual and in-person learning sessions, covering topics from fundraising to regulatory navigation.
- Opportunities to pilot solutions with governments in member states.
- £10,000 equity-free grant to support product development or international expansion.
The program operates in two phases: a virtual learning phase (July to September) and an in-person residency (October to December) in London, hosted at the Commonwealth Innovation Hub.
Strong Emphasis on Purpose-Driven Innovation
The 2025 Fellowship focuses on six sectors that the Commonwealth identified as both high-impact and high-potential:
- Climate Tech – Founders building renewable energy, carbon capture, or climate resilience tools.
- Digital Health – Startups working on remote diagnostics, health data, and vaccine delivery logistics.
- Fintech for Inclusion – Entrepreneurs designing tools for financial literacy, mobile banking, or SME lending.
- AgriTech – Ventures focused on food security, precision farming, or sustainable supply chains.
- EdTech – Platforms that improve access to quality education across remote and rural areas.
- GovTech – Innovations that modernize public service delivery, tax collection, or identity systems.
The Fellowship team will prioritize applications that demonstrate both technical scalability and strong alignment with community needs.
Voices from the 2024 Cohort
To understand the program’s impact, one only needs to look at the success stories from the 2024 Fellowship.
GreenLoop Energy, a Nigerian startup developing affordable solar microgrids, expanded operations to three new countries in East Africa after securing $500,000 in post-fellowship funding.
Founder Ibrahim Lawal praised the program: “The Commonwealth didn’t just teach us how to grow — it connected us with energy ministries in four countries. We received pilot projects that would have taken years to negotiate alone.”
CropSense AI, a Sri Lankan agri-analytics company, used its grant to partner with local co-operatives in India and Kenya. Founder Tharushi Madanayake credits her mentors for helping her team localize its product for African markets.
By investing in capacity-building and opening diplomatic doors, the Commonwealth fellowship created a unique space where innovation meets governance.
Application Criteria and Selection Process
The Commonwealth Secretariat released a transparent and straightforward application process:
- Startups must operate in a Commonwealth country.
- Founders must demonstrate early traction — either through revenue, partnerships, or a working prototype.
- Teams must consist of at least one full-time founder.
- Ventures should ideally have a tech-enabled solution aimed at addressing one of the six priority areas.
Applicants must submit:
- A pitch deck (10-12 slides),
- A 90-second founder video,
- A one-page business overview,
- And two short essays (on vision and impact).
A selection panel comprising Commonwealth innovation experts, former fellows, and ecosystem partners will evaluate submissions. The panel will prioritize diversity, mission-focus, and cross-border potential. Shortlisted applicants will receive interview invites by July 10, 2025, and the final cohort will be announced by July 20.
Strategic Partners and Global Mentors
The 2025 Fellowship enjoys strong backing from a wide range of partners. These include:
- Google for Startups – Offering cloud credits, product training, and exposure through its startup campuses.
- The British Council – Providing cultural exchange support for the in-person residency.
- IDB Lab, GIZ, and World Bank – Assisting with funding and pilot integration in developing nations.
Additionally, mentors include:
- Radhika Shah (Silicon Valley angel and impact investor),
- Chude Jideonwo (CEO, Joy Inc. and storytelling mentor),
- Dr. Neha Singh (health-tech entrepreneur and former WHO advisor),
- And Janine Hackman (former UK Digital Services Director).
The Fellowship promises more than just inspiration — it delivers practical tools, connections, and confidence.
Why This Fellowship Matters Now
In a rapidly evolving global economy, many startups struggle with visibility, funding, and access to policy influence. While venture capital booms in some parts of the world, others — particularly in Small Island Developing States or low-income economies — remain underrepresented.
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship helps fill this gap. It equips early-stage ventures with the skills to scale and the access to influence real change. By bringing innovators into direct dialogue with governments and global platforms, the Fellowship creates ripple effects across regions.
It also reflects a broader shift within international organizations: a move from policymaking to platform-building. Rather than dictate top-down strategies, the Commonwealth now enables bottom-up solutions that come directly from the communities they affect.
A Call to Action
The Commonwealth Secretariat urged founders across its 56 countries to apply before the June 30 deadline. In a joint statement, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and Innovation Director Dr. Kavita Rana emphasized urgency: “We want to support bold ideas. If your startup can change lives, the Commonwealth will back you.”
Whether you’re building a satellite-powered crop monitor in Kenya, a blockchain health record system in Bangladesh, or a digital literacy tool for girls in Barbados — this Fellowship offers a runway to global visibility and long-term impact.
Conclusion
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship 2025 represents a unique opportunity. It bridges geographies, industries, and generations. It doesn’t simply train founders — it builds diplomatic innovation leaders.
As global challenges grow increasingly complex, the world needs startups that can think locally and scale globally. Through this program, the Commonwealth positions itself not only as a network of nations but as a network of solutions.