MEST offers a 12-month graduate-level training to aspiring entrepreneurs across the African continent.
The entrepreneurial training program in business, communications and software development includes extensive hands-on project work, culminating in a final pitch and the chance to receive seed investment and grow businesses.
The successful world-class training program is run with the help of an internationally recognized faculty. Our teaching fellows hail from some of the best universities around the world. We also offer our entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs) the opportunity to be mentored by real-life Entrepreneurs, CEOs and other executives from all over the world. Guest lecturers have been executives of Uber, Facebook, Safaricom, Samsung, Interswitch, and many more.
Since its inception in 2008, MEST has invested over $25m in training 1000+ individual entrepreneurs and funded 80+ software companies across Africa. MEST entrepreneurs have developed solutions addressing local, regional and global markets, received follow-on funding from global investors, and gotten into top accelerator programs such as Y Combinator, 500 Startups and TechStars.
About MEST Africa
MEST was launched by The Meltwater Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of Meltwater, in 2008. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Meltwater is a global leader in media intelligence and Outside Insight. MEST is an Africa-wide technology entrepreneur training program, internal seed fund, and network of hubs offering incubation for technology startups in Africa.
Founded in Ghana in 2008, MEST provides critical skills training, funding, and support in software development, business, and communications to Africa�s tech entrepreneurs. Hubs are located in Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; Cape Town, South Africa; and Nairobi, Kenya. MEST is funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of Meltwater, a global leader in media intelligence and Outside Insight. MEST consists of a 1-year training program at our Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, followed by support and mentorship through our hub network across Africa.
All members of MEST become part of our Africa-wide tech community, and receive access to our network of mentors, entrepreneurs, corporate partners and more.
Aim and Benefits of MEST Africa Entrepreneurial Training Program
- The Training program provides rigorous entrepreneurial training and extensive hands-on project work, designed to ensure EITs master industry-proven methodologies for developing world-class tech businesses.
- All EITs receive a full scholarship to attend the 1-year training.
Requirements for MEST Africa Entrepreneurial Training Program Qualification
- A degree from a top university or Technical College or equivalent experience with at least two (2) years corporate and startup experience (preferred)
- Deep skills in either communications, business or software development (from the onset or acquired during the Pre-Learning stage)
- Young people passionate about tech and entrepreneurship, and how to use technology to achieve business results.
- Should be ready to commit to a full residential program for a whole year.
- Disciplined, motivated self-starter who can work and deliver on assignments and projects – demonstrate this by completing the required Pre-Learning courses and MEST’s rigorous recruitment process.
- An entrepreneurial spirit and strong desire to start a company.
- Ability to communicate candidly and persuasively.
- Ability to work well in teams, proven academic or professional excellence.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities.
- Confident and independent thinking
- Excellent people skills
Interview date, Process and Venue for MEST Africa Entrepreneurial Training Program
Timeline:
- Applications open – 12th December 2022
- Applications close – 26th February 2023
- Final Interviews – April & May 2023 in Accra, Lagos, Dakar, Nairobi and Johannesburg
- Training Program begins in August 2023 in Accra, Ghana
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to MEST Africa on mest.submittable.com to apply:
- Complete these pre-learning courses:
Application Deadline: February 26, 2023
Note: On completion of your first course on the IBM Digital Nation Africa portal, you will be guided to create an account on youracclaim.com. Once this is done, your badge will be automatically posted on to Acclaim. You can grab your profile link by clicking on the profile icon and selecting ‘view my profile’.
Kindly note that you are required to finish these courses, submit your profile link and upload your certificate by the application deadline.
- Take an Aptitude Test
You are required to take the Aptitude Test as your score will be requested when filling your application form and will determine your move to the next stage. Please follow this link to take the test.
- Complete the MEST Training Program Application Form
Please follow this link to sign up to complete the application form
For more details, visit MEST Africa website
