Unlock your business's potential to scale

Unlock your business's potential to scale

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in Ghana’s socio-economic growth. They represent over 80% of enterprises in the Ghanaian market. However, despite the significant role they play in the development of their communities and the economy, SMEs face a number of key challenges that make it difficult for them to scale up sustainably. 

MEST Scale is an acceleration program designed by MEST, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, that partners with leaders of high growth startups and innovative technology businesses that are ready to position their ventures for scaling. The program works with businesses to strengthen their operations, address key technology gaps, address capital linkages and increase their capacity to scale.

How We Support:

Tailored Advisory Support

Get seasoned business advice that responds to your specific needs

Specialist Consultations

Area-specific experts provide consultation sessions and guidance 

Investor engagement

Get investor readiness support and growth capital linkages

Technology Enhancement

Improve use of technology to enhance business development

The MEST Scale Program

Meet the companies in our first cohort

Eligibility Criteria

MEST Scale is looking to support startups and SMEs that are ready to scale

  • Sales and traction
    • Has annual sales minimum $150,000
    • Demonstrates at least three years of strong revenue growth
    • If unprofitable, has plan and path for financial breakeven
  • Stage
    • Commercially viable venture with strong product-market fit with a primary challenge of determining why, where, what, and how to scale
  • Personnel and talent 
    • Minimum of 5 full-time management staff, total of 10 staff minimum
    • Team should consist of more than 5 team members that are non-management staff
  • Gender balance
    • Companies with women in leadership and top management roles will be given preference
  • Scalability 
    • The venture has a good blend of ambition and potential to scale
  • Market 
    • Business must be based in Ghana & headquartered in the Greater Accra region
  • Technology
    • Must be a software technology business
Apply now

Program Curriculum

  • Month 1

    • Scale diagnostics

  • Month 2-4

    • Scale challenge articulation (from diagnostic)
    • Scale strategy development
    • Operations and business modelling
    • Investment readiness

    Month 2-4

    • Scale challenge articulation (from diagnostic)
    • Scale strategy development
    • Operations and business modelling
    • Investment readiness

  • Month 5-6

    • Scale plan pilot and wrap up

Outcomes

$100K/yr

Grant Funding

20+

Startups Accelerated

11

Industries covered

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Step 1: Fill out the general application form hosted on F6S
  • Step 2: Shortlisted ventures are invited for the first round of interviews
  • Step 3: Final list of companies are sent offers of admission
  • Step 4:  Admitted companies are onboarded into the program

Cohort Alpha 2023

  • Applications Open: 15th August 2022
  • Program Information Session: 25 August 2022
  • Applications Close: 7 October 2022
  • Application Review and Selection: November
  • Program Starts: 16 January 2023
  • Program Ends:30th June 2023

Cohort Beta 2023

Please check back for updates

6 companies will participate in each cohort. There are two cohorts that will take place in 2023.

The program is hybrid meaning there will be virtual as well as in-person engagements.

The CEO and leadership team will all be required to participate

20-25 hours a month

No funding will be given to participating companies. However, the program will work on addressing funding issues with each company as well as work on capital linkages and providing investment opportunities.

In partnership with

Success Stories

 

“Our involvement in MEST Express exposed us to best practices in the tech industry. We had access to world-class experts in all areas of company building. At the end of the program, we had a clearer vision and a solid plan to get there.”

Paul Eshun, CEO of Bosea and Credify

“We applied for the program because we wanted to kickstart our journey towards taking our business to market. We saw the opportunity to fine-tune and implement various aspects of business development. We found a competent space to expand our knowledge and receive expert advice on business growth. The team valued the learning and networking which the MEST Express program provided.”

Esinam Yevu, Co-Founder & Communications Lead

Let’s work on the things that matter for your SME’s growth

View program info deck
View program info deck

Contact us

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