Start fellowship 2025 offers equity-free funding and global recognition for young entrepreneurs
Applications are now being accepted for the START Fellowship 2025, a fully-funded initiative that helps entrepreneurs from low- and middle-income nations launch and grow innovative startups in Switzerland.
The START Fellowship Accelerator was established in 2020 by the student-led non-profit organisation START Global, which is headquartered in Switzerland. Its goal is to empower students from emerging markets by assisting them in creating sustainable enterprises. The program has helped 156 young entrepreneurs since its launch, helped 117 firms, and brought in over $9 million in total capital.
The 2025 edition provides early-stage entrepreneurs from Latin America and Africa with direct access to Europe’s thriving startup ecosystem during a three-month entrepreneurial immersion programme in Switzerland.
Many fellows have found the program to be a life-changing experience. Franco Rodriguez Viau, a former fellow, explained how the experience enabled him to transition into full-time entrepreneurship. With a network of motivated peers and mentors, Franco claimed the fellowship accelerated his development as a person and as a creator. Today, he is in charge of a team of 17 people who are dispersed around 17 nations and are all striving to save the earth.
Benefits
The START Fellowship 2025 programme offers the following benefits:
- Equity-free funding and direct access to investors
- Personalised feedback during small-group meetings
- Hands-on workshops led by industry experts
- Full immersion in the top startup hubs in Switzerland
- Constant coaching and tailored business assistance
ALSO READ: Baobab Network Accelerator offers $100,000 to African startups
Who can apply
To be eligible for the START Fellowship 2025 programme applicant must:
- Be enrolled in a Latin American or African partner university
- When applying, you must be between the ages of 18 and 25
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to entrepreneurship
- Developed a functional MVP or prototype
- Be part of a founding team with at least two or more member
- Have at least a C1 level of English proficiency
Key dates to remember
- Application opens : Monday, August 4, 2025
- Application closes: Sunday, September 14, 2025
- First interview round (Alumni Interviews): Monday, September 22 to Friday, September 3, 2025
- Second interview round (Team Interviews): Monday September 29 to Friday, September 10, 2025
- Third interview round (VC Interviews): Monday September 6 to Wednesday September 17, 2025
- Final selection of START Fellows: Sunday September 26, 2025
- Pre-Accelerator programme begins: Monday, January 5, 2026
- START Fellowship Pre-Accelerator programme begins: Sunday, February 8, 2026
How to apply
Eligible young entrepreneurs can apply for the START Fellowship 2025 programme by filling out the application form on the START Fellowship website before Sunday, September 14, 2025.
Do you have an innovative business (small, mid-scale business or startup) that adds value, creates opportunities or solves bold problems? Then you`ve got a story worth telling? Shoot us an email with the subject “Story Worth Telling (+Name of Business)” to [email protected]
