Twenty-two recent university graduates are embarking on an intensive crash course aimed at equipping them with essential skills to successfully run their own businesses, as the 2026 Graduate Business Start-Up Grant Scheme launches in Suva. This year’s initiative, now in its second iteration, is a collaboration between the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) and the Tertiary Scholarship and Loan Service (TSLS), which serves as the government’s education scholarship branch.
In an exciting development for the program, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) joins as an international partner, significantly enhancing the opportunities available to participants. FCEF president Eldon Eastgate announced the start of the second cohort, emphasizing the comprehensive support that the program will offer over the next six months. This includes vital business development services such as market research, training, coaching, and mentorship, along with financial support in the form of a $5,000 start-up grant.
Further opportunities for participants who show exceptional promise will arise through potential support from UNSW’s Founders & Global Innovation Foundry program. The initiative will also connect graduates with several programs, including the Innovation Hub Fiji and the FINTECH Innovation Hub of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, allowing them to access valuable resources, funding, and networking opportunities.
Eastgate highlighted that this scheme exemplifies a successful Public Private Partnership (PPP), aligning with national goals to enhance youth employment, stimulate entrepreneurship, and foster economic resilience. He pointed out the vision of increasing the contribution of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to Fiji’s GDP from 18% to the targeted 40% as part of the national development plan.
TSLS chairwoman Ro Teimumu Kepa reiterated the program’s multifaceted support, stating that it encompasses much more than just financial aid. It provides structured mentorship, accountability, and governance—which are crucial for fostering a thriving business landscape. She remarked on the significant broader impacts of the scheme, highlighting the strengthening of Fiji’s innovation ecosystem, promotion of small and medium enterprise development, and the encouragement of self-reliance and economic diversification.
The business ideas being developed by the graduates remain confidential to safeguard intellectual property, though they span various sectors, including agriculture, services, and food-related ventures. This initiative not only empowers aspiring entrepreneurs but also strengthens the connection between education and key economic outcomes, promising a hopeful future for Fiji’s economy and its youth.
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