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Applications Now Open for the MEST Africa Challenge 2024

– ‘Find Your Soil’, Nurture Your AgriTech Innovation and Win $50,000 in Equity Funding

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa), in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy, proudly announces the launch of the 6th edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC). This year’s challenge seeks to identify and support exceptional AgriTech entrepreneurs who are addressing critical agricultural challenges in West Africa.

In the rapidly evolving world of AgriTech, innovation needs the right conditions to flourish. While many African entrepreneurs possess bold visions, they often face challenges in accessing the necessary resources and networks to bring their ideas to fruition. MAC 2024 is here to bridge that gap, offering startups the opportunity to “Find Their Soil” by providing critical support, funding, and mentorship.

“‘Find Your Soil’ is a call to action for AgriTech innovators to discover the ideal environment where their vision can flourish. Through the MEST Africa Challenge, we aim to support this ecosystem by providing the necessary resources, visibility, and strategic support for these entrepreneurs to thrive,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor, MEST Africa.

MEST Africa is committed to fostering job creation and economic growth across the continent through software entrepreneurship. By offering specialized tech entrepreneurial training and investment opportunities, the organization empowers Africa’s brightest minds to build and scale impactful businesses.

The MEST Africa Challenge 2024, centered on the AgriTech sector, is open to startups from key West African markets, including Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Togo. The winning startup will receive $50,000 in equity funding along with access to MEST’s extensive global network, unlocking valuable partnerships, mentorship, and investment opportunities to accelerate their growth and global presence.

MEST Africa Challenge 2023

Since its inception, MEST has invested over $30 million into training more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and has supported the launch of 90 early-stage tech startups across sectors including AgriTech, FinTech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare. This year presents an unparalleled opportunity for AgriTech entrepreneurs to “Find Their Soil” and take their businesses to the next level.

Eligibility Criteria for MEST Africa Challenge 2024:

● Early-stage technology startup

● Monthly Recurring Revenue: A minimum of $5k

● Funding raised: $0 to $1M cumulative

● Years in existence: 3 years and below

● Traction: At least 6 months of recurring revenue

● Founding team: At least 2 founding team members

● Registered in Delaware (This is preferred)

● Any industry

● Any business model (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G etc…)

● All participants must pitch in English

Interested AgriTech entrepreneurs can learn more and apply here.

About MEST Africa:

The Meltwater Foundation, established in 2008, is the non-profit arm of the global media intelligence company, Meltwater. With a clear mission to foster job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in Africa through software entrepreneurship, the Foundation is based in Accra, Ghana. The flagship program, MEST, offers a 1-year specialized tech entrepreneurial training to high caliber talent from over 22 countries including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Senegal; and invests in early to growth stage startups.

MEST Programs was launched in 2020 to focus on partnerships with other foundations and organizations who share our mission of creating wealth and jobs in Africa through digital skills training and startup acceleration.

To learn more about MEST Africa, visit our website.

Media Contact:

Ophesmur Adjei
Communications and Community Manager
Mobile: +233 242 8171 174
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Koa Academy Wins MEST Africa Challenge 2023, Securing $50,000 Investment

Accra, Ghana — March 25, 2024: MEST Africa, a leading Pan-African tech entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator, proudly announces Koa Academy as the grand prize winner of the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), securing a $50,000 equity investment after a competitive pitch battle among Africa’s brightest tech innovators.

Five Regional Finalists’ Pitches (Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and Senegal)

In a thrilling showcase of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, Koa Academy from South Africa stood out at the MEST Africa Challenge finale in Accra, Ghana, surpassing contenders from across the continent. This coveted startup competition, known for identifying and nurturing tech talent, saw Koa Academy clinch the top spot with its groundbreaking solution, poised to transform the Edtech industry.

The competition drew applications from hundreds of early-stage tech startups, rigorously assessed on criteria such as innovation, scalability, and team strength. Finalists from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Kenya competed in the grand finale, demonstrating their unique solutions and business models to a panel of esteemed judges, including investors and industry experts.

Koa Academy, Winner of the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge and a South African innovator in online education, offers dynamic and interactive courses for grades 4–12. With a focus on engagement and accessibility, it champions digital learning, making quality education available to anyone, anywhere, and transforming the educational landscape in South Africa.

The startup impressed the judges at the MAC Finale showcasing significant market potential, revenue growth, and social impact. “Winning the MEST Africa Challenge has been an amazing experience for the Koa Academy team. It highlights the hard work and dedication that everyone has put into growing Koa. This recognition is not just an award; it’s a testament to the passion and perseverance that drives us every day. Amidst the challenges, this journey has brought us closer to others across the continent, forging relationships and connections that fuel our mission even further. We are reminded that we’re not alone in this endeavor and are incredibly grateful for the support and learning opportunities this challenge has presented,” said Lauren Anderson, Co-founder and CEO, Koa Academy, expressing gratitude and optimism for the future of tech startups in Africa.

Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa congratulated the winner and finalists for their exceptional achievements and resilience. The event also highlighted the support of Absa Bank Ghana for contributing to the challenge’s success.

The MEST Africa Challenge continues to be a pivotal platform for emerging tech startups in Africa, offering funding, visibility, and support to innovate and scale. Koa Academy’s victory underscores the vibrant potential within Africa’s tech ecosystem, promising a brighter future for the continent’s digital landscape.

For more information and updates on the MEST Africa Challenge, visit https://meltwater.org/mac/.

About MEST Africa

MEST is an African-wide software and entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator helping to launch technology startups across the continent. Founded in Ghana in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen, MEST is a 12-month program that provides critical skills training in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s burgeoning tech talent. MEST provides seed funding for the best ideas coming out of the program and continues to support the growth and development of its portfolio companies.

To date, MEST has trained over 2000 entrepreneurs from across the continent and funded over 90 startups across industries from Agritech, Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare amongst others. MEST is fully funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Norwegian company Meltwater; a global leader in social and media intelligence headquartered in San Francisco.

Visit www.meltwater.org to learn more.

For more information or media inquiries, contact:

Ophesmur Naa Adjeley Adjei

Communications and Community Manager, MEST Africa

[email protected]

MEST Africa is Now Accepting Applications for the Class of 2025

— The one year training program is designed to make interested candidates ready to pitch their startup ideas for funding and launch businesses that solve local and global problems through software technology

[Accra, Ghana — January 11, 2024] — The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa), a leader in tech entrepreneurship training in Africa, announces the opening of applications for the Class of 2025. This 12 month, fully sponsored program, based in Accra, offers a unique training program to help budding entrepreneurs transform their ideas into viable startup businesses through various modules including software development, go-to-market strategies, sales strategies, UI/UX Design, communications and more.

The one year training program is designed to make interested candidates ready to pitch their startup ideas for funding and launch businesses that solve local and global problems through software technology.

Participants will benefit from an extensive curriculum and mentorship by industry leaders and international experts, culminating in the chance to secure seed funding and business incubation for their tech/software startup. MEST’s impact is evident in its training of more than a 1000 entrepreneurs and over 90 funded startups across the continent, a testament to its commitment to nurturing pan-African tech talent.

“Our mission at MEST is to empower the next generation of African tech innovators,” said Emily Fiagbedzi, Director of the MEST Training Program. “The Class of 2025 presents an exciting opportunity to nurture and elevate the brightest minds, equipping them with the skills and resources needed to drive impactful change across the continent through their tech startups.”

Applicants must hold a degree from a reputable University or Technical College or demonstrate equivalent experience. Entrepreneurial or corporate work experience, coupled with a fervent passion for launching a software company in Africa, is what will truly place the candidate in a unique position to be successful in this opportunity. Additionally, candidates should showcase exceptional soft skills, including leadership qualities and effective communication abilities.

Key Dates for Applicants:

Application Deadline: March 18, 2024
Final Interviews: April & May 2024 in Accra, Lagos, Dakar, Nairobi, and Johannesburg (exact dates to be confirmed later)
Training Program Commencement: August 2024 in Accra, Ghana

For more information visit this link

Application submissions should be made here

Join our Telegram Channel at bit.ly/mest_telegram for updates and insights.

For further inquiries, please contact [email protected].

For more information about MEST Africa or media inquiries, contact:

Ophesmur Naa Adjeley Adjei
Communications and Community Manager, MEST Africa
[email protected]

Announcing the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge Regional Finalists

— A Showcase of African Innovation

MEST Africa, a leading pan-African software and entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator, has selected 45 standout technology startups to advance to the regional finals of the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC). Hailing from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa, these startups have been recognized for their potential to shape the future of technology on the continent. The grand prize at stake is a coveted USD 50,000 in equity investment, along with the prospect of a long-term partnership and ongoing support from MEST Africa.

MAC sets the stage for early stage startups to display their innovative solutions and tech-driven ventures. With a comprehensive selection process that rigorously evaluates each entry, the competition attracts the continent’s most promising tech entrepreneurs. The startups moving forward embody a wide array of sectors — from Agritech to Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare — showcasing the rich tapestry of African innovation.

These regional finalists were chosen for their exceptional use of technology to solve real and significant challenges within Africa’s vibrant markets. They have introduced solutions ranging from AI-driven efficiencies in agriculture to financial technology that expands access to economic resources for marginalised populations. These finalists are a testament to the ingenuity emerging from Africa’s tech ecosystems and set the stage for a compelling Regional Pitch Competition.

List of Finalists

Kenya

Ghana

Nigeria

South Africa

Senegal

As the competition advances, these startups will compete to demonstrate their potential impact to a panel of judges. The aim is not only to secure a place in the final pitch but also to gain visibility, connect with investors, and potentially receive funding to scale their impact.

Stay tuned for the Regional Pitch Competition, where innovation meets opportunity, as we spotlight the talents shaping Africa’s technological future.

Learn more about the MEST Africa Challenge.

MEST Africa Challenge Startup Pitch Competition Opens Applications

Unlock Your Startup Potential and Win $50,000 in Equity

[Accra-Ghana, 28th August 2023] – MEST Africa, in partnership with Absa Bank, is delighted to announce the opening of applications for the highly anticipated MEST Africa Challenge Startup Pitch Competition. Early-stage technology startups operational in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa are invited to participate in this prestigious competition to showcase their innovative businesses and entrepreneurial prowess. The application period begins today and will close on 9th October 2023.

The MEST Africa Challenge offers exceptional benefits to participating startups. The winner will receive a substantial equity investment of USD 50,000, providing crucial financial support to accelerate their business growth. In addition, the winner and other outstanding participants will gain access to MEST Africa’s global community and networks, unlocking valuable partnerships, mentorship, and investment opportunities. This platform catalyzes startups to unlock the next phase of their business growth and gain global recognition.

Building upon the success of the previous years, the 2022 MEST Africa Challenge crowned Kwely, a B2B e-commerce startup from Senegal, as the winner. Kwely’s groundbreaking solutions stood out among the fierce competition, and their success serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs across Africa.

“This year’s tagline, ‘Unlock Your Startup Potential’, resonates deeply with the vibrant technology landscape we are witnessing in Africa today. With the remarkable advancements in technology innovation and adoption across the continent, this year’s competition is poised to showcase groundbreaking ideas and solutions. I am confident that the MEST Africa Challenge will uncover exceptional startups that will shape the future and drive positive change in Africa and beyond,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor and MEST Africa Challenge Lead.

Over the years, the MEST Africa Challenge pitch competition has garnered thousands of applications from across the continent, attaining global recognition and forging partnerships, while nurturing a thriving community of African tech founders. It has spotlighted and impacted the growth of winning startups such as Tanzania’s Kilimo Fresh, Ghana’s OZE, South Africa’s Snode Technologies, Kenya’s Waya Waya, Nigeria’s Accounteer, and reigning title holder, Kwely from Senegal.

Eligibility Criteria for MAC 2023:

Monthly Recurring Revenue: $5k+
Funding raised: Cumulative $1M or less
Years of existence: 3 years and below
Traction: At least 6 months of recurring revenue
Founding team: At least 2 founding team members
Registered in Delaware (This is preferred)
Demonstrated traction in MAC Markets (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal)

Learn more and apply here:https://meltwater.org/mac/

About MEST Africa:

MEST is a pan-African software and entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator helping to launch technology startups across the continent. Founded in Ghana in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen, MEST is a 12-month program that provides critical skills training in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s burgeoning tech talent. MEST provides seed funding for the best ideas coming out of the program and continues to support the growth and development of its portfolio companies.

To date, MEST has trained over 2000 entrepreneurs from across the continent and funded over 90 startups across industries from Agritech, Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare amongst others. MEST is fully funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Norwegian company Meltwater; a global leader in social and media intelligence headquartered in San Francisco.

Media Contact: [email protected]

Eric Nsarkoh joins MEST Africa as a Portfolio Advisor

MEST Africa, a pan-African training program, incubator, and seed fund for African entrepreneurs, has announced the appointment of Eric Nsarkoh as a Portfolio Advisor, focused on technology product development. Eric brings a wealth of experience and expertise in Africa’s technology space to the role and will help to strengthen and scale MEST’s portfolio of startups across the continent.

Eric Nsarkoh is a seasoned business executive with over 20 years of experience in leading multinational organizations across Africa. He was recently the Head of Engineering at Stanbic Bank Ghana and has a strong track record of scaling growth and innovation, having held similar leadership roles at Millicom (Tigo Ghana), Airtel Ghana, and MTN.

His expertise in software development, sales, and consumer behavior will be invaluable in supporting MEST Africa’s portfolio of companies. In his new role, Eric will be responsible for advising and supporting these companies to strengthen their product development and scale of technology products and services. He will also work closely with MEST Africa’s portfolio and leadership team, providing guidance on best practices and industry trends.

Founder Jorn Lyseggen expressed his excitement about the appointment, stating, “Eric is an unusually talented engineer as well as a seasoned executive who understands how to bring products to market in Africa. His background in banking and telco will be invaluable support for our portfolio companies as they grow and scale across the continent”

Eric’s appointment comes at a critical time for Africa’s technology sector as the continent is poised for tremendous growth. Eric expressed his excitement about joining MEST Africa and working with the organization’s portfolio companies. “I am thrilled to be joining MEST at this important time in Africa’s development,” he said. “I am excited to be part of an organization that is working to support the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs.”

Overall, Eric’s appointment as MEST Africa’s Portfolio Advisor focused on tech product development is a significant development that underscores the importance of software development in driving innovation and growth in the continent.

MEST will now Review all Class of 2024 Applications on a Rolling Basis

See new timelines for the 12-month Training Program Application

All applicants of the ongoing recruitment for the 12-month Training Program are informed that their applications will now be reviewed on a rolling basis. This means that the earlier applicants complete their application, the earlier they will hear back from the recruitment team regarding their status in the application process.

The new dates by which applicants should complete the application process are as follows:

Submit by 26 February 2023 hear from MEST by 17 March 2023
Submit by 20 March 2023 hear from MEST by 3 April 2023
Submit by 11 April 2023 hear from MEST by 24 April 2023

The new system of reviewing applications and new dates will allow early applicants to get faster updates on their application status and will also give other applicants more time to complete their applications beyond the 26th of February 2023.

The Application Process:

Visit the application portal and create an account

Complete all pre-learning courses
Take the aptitude test
Fill out and submit the MEST Training Program application form
Successful applicants go through the Interview stages, including individual phone interviews and in-person group interviews
Successful applicants receive an offer from MEST Africa

All applicants are also encouraged to join the program’s official Telegram group to interact directly with the recruitment team as they go through the application process.

MEST AFRICA COMMENCES RECRUITMENT FOR THE CLASS OF 2024

Accra-Ghana – Monday 12th December 2022: Applications are open for the 2024 cohort of the MEST Training Program; a twelve-month program hosted physically in Accra and designed to give young people around the continent commercial skills in technology and entrepreneurship.

As one of the pioneering pan-African programs of its kind, the MEST Training program goes beyond software training to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with business, marketing, communication, and soft skills training.

The fully-funded program, which also focuses on supporting aspiring entrepreneurs to build, grow and scale successful tech businesses in Africa, provides up to $100,000 in seed funding, and business incubation to high-potential startups coming out of the program.

“I came to MEST because I knew that tech is exactly where I want to be. MEST has been the solid ground that I needed to really face my fears and improve myself. From design thinking to trying my hands on Figma for the first time, I have loved the journey so far and I can’t wait to experience more ahead,” said Abena Konadu Gyamfi-Afrifa, Entrepreneur-in-Training (MEST Class of 2023).

The Application Process:

Visit the application portal and create an account

Complete all pre-learning courses
Take the aptitude test
Fill out and submit the MEST Training Program application form
Successful applicants go through the Interview stages
Successful applicants receive an offer from MEST Africa

“Learning sessions for the class of 2024 are set to begin in late August of 2023. For successful non-English speaking applicants, MEST will also provide a language and cultural immersion program in early August before the start of the program,” said Emily Fiagbedzi, the Director of Training Program at MEST Africa.

MEST has produced some of the continent’s fastest-growing startups across various industries. Some of MEST’s past cohorts and graduating startups include the largest real estate platform in Ghana, MeQasa; CodeLn, one of the fastest-growing platforms for hiring software developers in Africa; Complete Farmer, a leading agritech business in Africa and Kudobuzz, a SaaS company that builds tools to help eCommerce merchants build trust and traction.

Launched in 2008 as a fully-funded program by the Meltwater Foundation, the Training Program has trained over 800 young African tech entrepreneurs, given seed investment to and supported over 80 startups, and created thousands of jobs across the continent for their graduates.

Applications close on 26th February 2022.

Join the Program’s official Telegram group to interact directly with the recruitment team.

About MEST:

MEST is a pan-African software and entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator helping to launch technology startups across the continent. Founded in Ghana in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen, MEST is a 12-month program that provides critical skills training in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s burgeoning tech talent. MEST provides seed funding for the best ideas coming out of the program and continues to support the growth and development of its portfolio companies.

To date, MEST has trained 1000s of entrepreneurs from across the continent and invested in over 80 startups across industries from Agritech, Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare amongst others. MEST is fully funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Norwegian company Meltwater; a global leader in social and media intelligence headquartered in San Francisco.

SENEGAL’S KWELY EMERGES AS WINNER OF THE 2022 MEST AFRICA CHALLENGE

Accra, 6th December 2022: MEST Africa has announced Senegalese tech startup Kwely as the winner of the 2022 edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC); a pan-African tech startup pitch competition.

Kwely is a digital made-in-Africa products distribution platform founded by Birame Sock, a Senegalese entrepreneur. The startup joins MAC’s winning startups such as Tanzania’s Kilimo Fresh, Ghana’s OZE, South Africa’s Snode Technologies, Kenya’s Waya Waya, and Nigeria’s Accounteer to receive US$50,000 in equity investment, access to expert business coaches, mentors, and global investors.

“Winning the MEST Africa Challenge really means a lot to me and the Kwely Team. The journey of an entrepreneur is never easy but it really is a passion from my heart. Getting this recognition gives us the push and confidence that we need to forge ahead. When things get difficult, it is important to remember that we have a network of amazing people around us who are rooting for us.” said Birame Sock, founder and CEO of Kwely.

The female-founded startup emerged as the winner out of four other startup finalists from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. The announcement was made at the Demo Day and Final Pitch Competition held in Accra to culminate a four-month period of shortlisting over 500 tech startups from 5 African countries.

Speaking on the MEST Africa Challenge’s Grand finale, MEST Africa’s Director of Portfolio, Melissa Nsiah said:

“This year’s MAC competition had 5 winners from each of our key markets. After reading through hundreds of applications and meeting dozens of brilliant and innovative founders from across the continent, I became even more excited about technology startups on the continent and even more convinced that it would be impossible to pick one overall winner. The talent is just immense! But with the help of our judges and boisterous live and virtual audience, a final overall winner emerged in Birame Sock of Kwely from Senegal. We are thrilled to welcome Kwely into the MEST portfolio.”

Since its inception in 2018, the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), has provided a platform for hundreds of technology startups all across the continent to raise funding, build industry networks and gain global visibility. This year’s competition opened in July and received hundreds of applications from startups in 5 African markets – Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa.

The 2022 MEST Africa Challenge was organized in association with Absa Bank Ghana and supported by Codeln, Copianto, Google, Dream VC, Heny, Impact Hub- Dakar, Hubspot for Startups, Paystack, Wiflix.

Grace Anim-Yeboah, Director of Business Banking at Absa Bank said, “We are a bank that is interested in the total transformation of the continent through innovation and creativity. Every day we see great potential all around us and it excites us. Our partnership with MEST is a true stroke of inspiration and will provide lots of opportunities for startup companies and also provide next-generation ideas for the continent’s socio-economic growth. I am happy for the winning team from Senegal; we look forward to a closer collaboration with you and the others, as we look forward to creating an ecosystem that will feed the world.”

Following the application stage through the competition’s online portal, a shortlist of 36 technology startups from 5 African countries was announced to enter the regional pitch competition, from which the final 5 finalists were chosen. The finalists and regional winners; Sproutly (Nigeria), Kwely (Senegal), Swoove (Ghana), Hisa (Kenya) and Desert Green Africa (South Africa) were flown to Ghana to represent their respective countries on Demo Day.

About the 2022 MEST Africa Challenge

In its fourth year, MAC 2022 is a call for technology startups in 5 African markets – Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa to vie for the ultimate prize of USD 50,000 in equity investment. Finalists will gain exclusive access to the MEST Community including expert business coaches and mentors, global investors, and a wide selection of prizes and packages contributed by MEST partners across the continent. Finalists from each country will attend the MEST Africa Demo Day in Accra, Ghana on December 1, 2022, where they will once again compete on a global stage for up to $50,000 in equity investment and the opportunity to join the MEST Portfolio and global community.

About MEST Africa

MEST is a pan-African software and entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator helping to launch technology startups across the continent. Founded in Ghana in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen, MEST is a 12-month program that provides critical skills training in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s burgeoning tech talent. MEST provides seed funding for the best ideas coming out of the program and continues to support the growth and development of its portfolio companies.

To date, MEST has trained 1000s of entrepreneurs from across the continent and invested in over 80 startups across industries from Agritech, Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare amongst others. MEST is fully funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Norwegian company Meltwater; a global leader in social and media intelligence headquartered in San Francisco.

Visit www.meltwater.org to learn more.

MEST Africa Challenge announces the top 5 finalists going into the final stage of the competition

MEST Africa has announced Sproutly (Nigeria), Kweli (Senegal), Swoove (Ghana), Hisa (Kenya) and Desert Green Africa (South Africa) as the startups who will be into the grand finale of the 2022 MEST Africa Challenge pitch competition.

The pan-African pitch competition opened applications in July this year for pre-seed and seed-stage technology startups in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa to bid for the ultimate prize of $50,000.

After going through the online application, regional pitches, and founder interview phases of the competition, these 5 finalists have been selected for the final pitch. Each startup will represent their country at the Demo Day and Final Pitch Competition that will be held in Accra Ghana in December 2022.

Speaking on the selection of the top 5 startups, the Director of Portfolio at MEST Africa, Melissa Nsiah said:

“It hasn’t been an easy process. Mostly because, this year, we saw so many valid business models and met some incredible founders with huge visions that align very closely with ours. But in the final analysis we were able to zero in on the cream of the crop to select the top 5 companies from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal and South Africa in alignment with this year’s selection criteria. Our team is eager to work closely with each of the 5 finalists in preparation towards the final competition day in December.”

Here are details of the startups who have made it in the 2022 MEST Africa Challenge:

Sproutly Inc (Nigeria)

Digital Banking, Tuition Financing for Teens & Students and Payments, Education Management and Credits for Schools. Learn more https://sproutlyhq.com/

Kwely Inc (Senegal)

An innovative made-in-Africa B2B brand incubation and digital distribution platform.

Swoove Inc (Ghana)

Swoove is a last mile delivery and fulfillment tech startup beuilding ecommmerce infrastructure for SME’s and commerce companies on the continent. Learn more https://www.swoove.delivery

Hisa Inc (Kenya)

Building the tech infrastructure for investing in Africa. Learn more: https://hisa.co/

Desert Green Africa Agri-Investments (South Africa)

Desert Green is an Agritech transforming the Informal Agri-value chain in Africa by providing a more efficient delivery of Fresh produce from small scale farmers to informal traders. Learn more www.desertgreen.co.za

MEST will provide the winning startup with investment capital to the amount of $50,000, coaching and access to a global network of resources and partners as they build and scale successful businesses that add value to African economies and livelihoods.

All participating startups will have the opportunity to benefit from a host of exciting perks from MEST Africa and its strategic partners including global visibility, building their networks, professional coaching, mentorship from experts, and the opportunity to join the global MEST community for lifetime benefits.

About the 2022 MEST Africa Challenge

In its fourth year, MAC 2022 is a call for technology startups in 5 African markets – Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa to vie for the ultimate prize of USD 50,000 in equity investment. Finalists will gain exclusive access to the MEST Community including expert business coaches and mentors, global investors, and a wide selection of perk prizes and packages contributed by MEST partners across the continent. 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 $50,000 in equity investment and the opportunity to join the MEST Portfolio and global community.

The competition has received thousands of applications from around the continent since its inception. It has spotlighted and impacted the growth of winning startups such as Tanzania’s Kilimo Fresh, Ghana’s OZE, South Africa’s Snode Technologies, Kenya’s Waya Waya, and Nigeria’s Accounteer.

About MEST Africa:

MEST is a pan-African software and entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator helping to launch technology startups across the continent. Founded in Ghana in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen, MEST is a 12-month program that provides critical skills training in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s burgeoning tech talent. MEST provides seed funding for the best ideas coming out of the program and continues to support the growth and development of its portfolio companies.

To date, MEST has trained 1000s of entrepreneurs from across the continent and invested in over 80 startups across industries from Agritech, Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare amongst others. MEST is fully funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Norwegian company Meltwater; a global leader in social and media intelligence headquartered in San Francisco. Learn more at www.meltwater.org

Media Contact: [email protected]