Applications are open for the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Africa Challenge 2024. As MEST continues to deepen her influence on Africa’s tech landscape, the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) remains Africa’s premier pitch competition for Africa’s emerging tech entrepreneurs, bringing together relevant stakeholders all across the continent and globe to learn more about the happenings on the tech scene.

This year will mark the 6th edition of MAC. MEST will provide the winning startup with investment capital, 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.

This year, contestants for MAC will be based in West Africa with a focus on the following key markets: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo. For the first time, MAC will also place a sectoral emphasis on agri-tech, recognizing its immense potential to drive sustainable development and economic growth in Africa.

Benefits

• The Grand Prize of MAC 2024 is $50,000 in equity investment, access to MEST Portfolio resources and strategic partnerships, 1-year professional business coaching in addition to other benefits and prizes for the overall winner.
• Finalists will be fully sponsored with travel to and from Accra, housing, and transport for the final pitch day in December 2024. Please plan to arrive in Accra a few days before.

Eligibility

• Open to early-stage Agritech 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
• Must be operating in one of the 14 MAC countries (Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo)
• Founding team: At least 2 founding team members
• Registered in Delaware (This is preferred)
• Any business model (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G etc…)
• All participants must pitch in English

Application

Click here to apply

For more information, visit MEST Africa Challenge.