In collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy, the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) in the 2024 MEST Africa Challenge seeks to identify and support exceptional AgriTech entrepreneurs addressing critical agricultural challenges in West Africa.
The 6th edition of the MEST Africa Challenge centered on the AgriTech sector, is open to startups from Benin, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Togo. The winning startup will receive USD$50,000 in equity funding, access to MEST’s extensive global network, opportunities to valuable partnerships, mentorship, and investment opportunities to accelerate its growth and global presence.
Eligibility criteria:
- Early-stage technology startup.
- Monthly Recurring Revenue: A minimum of USD$5,000.
- Funding raised: USD$0 to USD$1 million 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.
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. The MEST Africa Challenge 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,” Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor, MEST Africa, said in a press statement.
MEST Africa is committed to fostering job creation and economic growth across Africa 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.
Since its inception, MEST has invested over USD$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.
MEST is accepting applications until October 4th, 2024. APPLY NOW.
