Applications are Now Open for the $50,000 2019 MEST Africa Challenge

With 10 years experience training and mentoring Africa startups and entrepreneurs, Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is set to hold the second edition of its MEST Africa Challenge.

First held in 2018, MEST Africa is a Pan-African startup pitch contest.

The contest is targeted at startups that already have revenue bases and are looking to expand to other markets. The competition targets startups located in African countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

With this focus, MEST Africa Challenge will run as a series of regional competitions that lead up to the main Challenge. Regional events will hold in locations like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Winners of the regional events will get the chance to pitch at the main event holding in Kenya in June 2019.

Meanwhile, the MEST Africa Challenge promises a host of benefits to startups. Importantly, the pitch contest promises a $50,000 equity investment for finalists. Finalists also get slots in MEST incubators anywhere in Africa.

The MEST Africa Challenge draws a lot of media attention and guests. Both types of audiences are key enablers of startup growth. Guests usually include a crowd of investors, entrepreneurs and other innovators. Last year, the judging panel at the main event was made up representatives from Facebook, MTN and even Meltwater, the organisers of MEST Africa.

Applications for this year’s competition is already open, and will close by February 15. Regional events are scheduled to hold as follows: Abidjan (28 February), Accra (27 February), Cape Town (28 February), Lagos (26 February) and Nairobi (27 February).

The MEST Africa Challenge is highly competitive and draws a large pool of startups. Last year, over 700 startups applied for the competition, but only 40 made it to the regional events though. This year, things may not be too different.

To apply, click here.