Posts

Due to COVID-19, MEST postpones training program to next year and doubles down on growing portfolio companies

MEST Management, Friday, July 24th 2020

Hi Everyone,

At MEST, we continue to be deeply concerned about COVID-19 and have been closely monitoring developments locally and globally. Our number one priority remains the health and safety of our community. We will continue to follow the local authority and health official guidelines.

Due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic and the uncertainty that the future of travel holds, we have been unable to conduct in-person interviews and host recruitment around Africa for our next cohort. For this reason, we have taken the decision to postpone the Training Program to next year.

While these circumstances are indeed unfortunate, we see this as an exciting opportunity at MEST to double down on providing support and mentorship to our existing portfolio companies and the African ecosystem.
 

Thanks,
MEST Management

MEST Africa names Ashwin Ravichandran as new Managing Director

MEST Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashwin Ravichandran as its new Managing Director, as the Pan-African entrepreneurial training program, seed fund and incubator continues to grow and strengthen its portfolio of startups and expand its reach and impact across the continent. 

Ashwin joined MEST in 2015 as a Technology Teaching Fellow and has since served as the Incubator Manager for MEST Accra, and currently is Director of Portfolio Support and Country Director of Ghana. With a background in Computer Science and Engineering and previous experience working in the innovation team at Honeywell and building startups in India, Ashwin brings extensive technical knowledge to his executive management experience at MEST.

In his role as Director of Portfolio Support, Ashwin has overseen the growth and development of highly successful MEST portfolio companies such as Complete Farmer, Asoriba, Leti Arts and Kudobuzz, working to maximize their growth and success in terms of business development, product management and raising further rounds of funding.

“We’re thrilled to name Ashwin as Managing Director,” said MEST Founder & Chairman, Jorn Lyseggen. “Over the years, he has been an incredible asset to our management team and an invaluable mentor to founders and Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs). Ashwin has a passionate, product-centric approach to entrepreneurship and, combined with a deep belief and dedication to the African continent, he is the right person to take MEST to the next level.”

“I’m incredibly honored and excited to be stepping into this new role,” Ashwin said. Since I joined MEST in 2015, I’ve always been inspired by the potential of the African entrepreneurship space. Being part of the innovation that has come out of MEST over the years, I’ve seen first-hand how technology is changing the future of the continent. I’m excited to lead our talented team as we continue to expand and take on new challenges.”

Ashwin takes the reins from MEST Managing Director Aaron Fu, whose last day at MEST was June 30th. “Aaron has in his two years with MEST been a valued member of the MEST leadership team. We thank him for all his contributions and wish him all the best in his next endeavour,” said Lyseggen.