Applications for the second edition of the MEST AI Startup Program are now being accepted by the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), a pioneer in early-to-growth-stage startup support and training for tech entrepreneurs.
For the past eighteen years, MEST, a pan-African software and entrepreneurship training program, seed fund, and incubator, has assisted and trained software entrepreneurs throughout the continent, supporting Africa’s innovation economy.
Currently, MEST is putting Africa’s tech entrepreneurs at the forefront of this change as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms industries. Last year, Disrupt Africa revealed how it had redesigned its flagship program to train the most promising tech talent in Africa to create, launch, and grow top-tier AI startups.
Africa’s most promising AI entrepreneurs are given the technical, business, and leadership skills they need to create and grow globally competitive startups through the fully funded, immersive MEST AI Startup Program, which is held in Accra, Ghana.
During a rigorous seven-month training phase, founders develop AI-powered solutions to real-world problems while receiving practical instruction, technical mentorship, and business coaching from international experts.
After that, the best businesses move on to a four-month incubation period during which they improve their products, gain traction in the market, and hone their go-to-market tactics. Startups have the chance to apply for pre-seed funding of up to $100,000 USD at the conclusion of incubation and become part of the MEST portfolio.
“AI technology is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and meaningful participation in the global AI economy requires more than access to tools, it requires the ability to build,” said Emily Fiagbedzi, AI Startup Programme director.
“This programme is designed to help talented African founders develop solutions to real challenges while positioning them to compete globally. We are excited to support the next generation of African AI founders through training delivered by some of the most knowledgeable experts in the industry from organizations including OpenAI, Perplexity, Google, and Meltwater.”
The program is open to 21–35-year-old African founders with software development experience who are based in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Kenya and wish to launch their own AI startup for the 2027 intake. Applications are open here.
