Fully Funded START Fellowship 2025: Incubator & Accelerator for Founders in Africa and Latin America

Application Deadline for incubator: August 31, 2025

Application Deadline for accelerator: September 14, 2025

Applications are officially open for the START Fellowship Incubator and Accelerator 2025, a fully funded program designed to empower young founders and innovators from Africa and Latin America. This unique opportunity supports ambitious entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their ventures, refine their ideas, and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

The START Fellowship is more than just an entrepreneurship program—it is a platform that bridges the gap between innovation and real-world implementation. By combining intensive training, mentorship, and a global network of like-minded changemakers, it equips participants with the skills, resources, and confidence needed to succeed in today’s competitive startup ecosystem.

About START Global

For over five years, START Global has been at the forefront of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across continents. Through its Fellowship program, it has helped countless founders break barriers, access funding opportunities, and establish global connections. The organization’s mission is to empower entrepreneurs from low- and middle-income countries to thrive in both local and international markets.

Why Apply for the START Fellowship 2025?

The 2025 cohort offers a blend of incubation and acceleration to ensure that ventures at different stages receive the right level of support. Whether you are in the early stages of developing your idea or looking to scale an existing startup, this program provides the tools and network to accelerate your growth.

Key benefits include:

• Personalized Mentorship: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors who understand the challenges and opportunities unique to emerging markets.
• Practical Business Training: Workshops and sessions tailored to strengthen business models, refine strategies, and enhance pitching skills.
• Access to Global Networks: Direct connections to potential investors, business partners, and fellow innovators from around the world.
• Scaling Support: Expert advice on expanding operations, entering new markets, and attracting sustainable funding.
• Thriving Community: Inclusion in a vibrant network of change-driven entrepreneurs committed to creating positive impact in their regions.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to young founders and innovators from Africa and Latin America. Applicants should be eager to develop impactful ventures that address pressing challenges in their communities, with the potential for global reach.

Program Structure

The START Fellowship offers two tracks:

1. Incubator Program: For early-stage entrepreneurs who have a strong concept or prototype but need structured support to turn it into a viable business.
2. Accelerator Program: For more established startups seeking to refine strategies, expand networks, and scale operations internationally.

Participants in both tracks will benefit from START Global’s proven model, which integrates learning with practical application. This ensures that by the end of the program, founders not only have enhanced business knowledge but also tangible progress in their ventures.

Impact of the Fellowship

Over the years, the START Fellowship has helped entrepreneurs secure funding, launch products, enter new markets, and build sustainable social enterprises. Alumni of the program have gone on to influence industries such as technology, education, health, agriculture, and renewable energy—transforming lives while generating economic growth.

By joining the 2025 fellowship, participants will have the opportunity to become part of this growing legacy, learning from past fellows while paving their own path toward success.

How to Apply

Interested founders from Africa and Latin America can apply online via the official START Global Fellowship application portal. Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate their venture’s vision, the problem they aim to solve, and how the program will help them achieve their goals.

Due date for accelerator application: 14 September

Due date for incubator application: 31 August 

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE