The MEST Africa Challenge application period for 2022 has officially begun, according to MEST Africa. Technology firms in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa that are in the pre-seed to seed stage are encouraged to submit an application to compete in the regional contests that will take place in these nations in October of this year.
Two finalists will be selected from the aforementioned countries to participate in the final Demo Day Pitch event, taking place in Accra, Ghana, for the grand prize of $50,000 in equity.
Talking about the competition’s 2022 edition, MEST Africa’s Director of Portfolio, Melissa Nsiah, expressed excitement about bringing it back and giving more African startups a stage to demonstrate and expand on their distinctive value in a time when African startups and innovations are taking the spotlight and attracting investments from around the world. We anticipate a season to rekindle our desire to improve African business conditions.
The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), organized by the pan-African training program, seed fund, incubator, and hub MEST Africa, is the continent’s premier pitch event for technology entrepreneurs aiming to advance in their growth.
Since the competition’s start, thousands of applications have been submitted from all over the continent. It has highlighted and influenced the development of successful firms including Tanzania’s Kilimo Fresh, Ghana’s OZE, South Africa’s Snode Technologies, Kenya’s Waya Waya, and Nigeria’s Account.
MEST is a seed fund, incubator, and training program for software and entrepreneurship that serves the entire continent of Africa.
MEST is a 12-month program that offers critical skills training in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s budding tech talent.
It was founded in Ghana in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen. The finest program concepts are given seed money by MEST, which also continues to assist the expansion of its portfolio companies.
In addition to investing in over 80 businesses across a variety of industries, including Agritech, Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare, MEST has mentored thousands of entrepreneurs from all over the continent to date.
The Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Norwegian business Meltwater, a world leader in social and media intelligence with its headquarters in San Francisco, provides all the funding for MEST.
Requirements for participation
- Pre-seed or seed stage (from the start, have funded $100k or less collectively)
- Traction in at least one of the five MAC Markets (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal)
- Operates for no more than two years
- Tech-enabled (software company)
- Non-industry specific but must be of the business model
- Any business model, including B2B, B2C, B2B2C, and B2G
Benefits of participation
- Up to $50,000 in funding
- Awards from MEST Strategic Partners for extras
- Global awareness, networking and mentoring
- For lifetime advantages, join the global MEST Community
How to apply
Click here to apply for the MEST Africa Challenge. The deadline for application is Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
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