News

Call for Applications: 2022 MEST Africa Challenge for US$ 50,000

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2022

Accra Mail

2022 MEST Africa Challenge for US$ 50,000

Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is now calling all technology startups from 5 African markets including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa to compete in its 4th 2022 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC 2022).

MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), is a Pan-African start-up competition, for startups who are ready to scale and expand into new markets.

Launched with the aim of providing a stage for technology startups to raise funding, build industry networks and gain global visibility, the competition has grown to become a key establishment in Africa’s startup technology industry giving an unprecedented global platform to hundreds of entrepreneurs from all over Africa.

Finalists from each country will attend the MEST Africa Demo Day in Accra, Ghana on December 1st, 2022 where they will once again compete on a global stage for up to US$ 50,000 in equity investment and the opportunity to join the MEST Portfolio and global community.

Eligibility criteria

Pre-seed or seed-stage (have raised $100k total or less cumulatively since inception)
Currently generating revenue
Can demonstrate traction in one or more of the five MEST Africa Challenge Markets (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa)
Has been in operation for 2 years or less
Tech-enabled (software company)
Industry agnostic
Any business model (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G etc…)
English only pitches *Francophone applicants must pitch in English

Regional final dates

Selected companies for this year’s MEST Africa Challenge country finals will be notified by 30th September. Shortlisted companies will pitch on the following dates:

4th October – MAC Ghana (Accra)
6th October – MAC Nigeria (Lagos)
11th October – MAC Kenya (Nairobi)
13th October – MAC South Africa (Cape Town)
14th October – MAC Senegal (Dakar)

*All pitches will be in-person

Timeline

Application opens 29th July 2022 – 31st August 2022
Shortlisting and review of Applications – Rolling basis
All regional Finalists will be communicated by 9th September 2022
Regional Finals will take place from 1st October 2022 to 15th October 2022
* Winner of the Regional Finals will be announced on the day of the event
Final Demo Day – 1st December 2022 in Accra
* Regional Final winners will be flown to Accra at the end of November 2022 for the final pitch competition
The winner of MAC will be announced the same day