6th MEST Africa Challenge 2024 Launched to Support AgriTech Innovators in West Africa

MEST Africa is dedicated to fostering job creation and economic growth across the continent by nurturing software entrepreneurship.

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) (www.Meltwater.org), in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy, is thrilled to announce the 6th edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC). This year's challenge is dedicated to discovering and supporting outstanding AgriTech entrepreneurs who are tackling significant agricultural issues in West Africa.

As AgriTech continues to evolve, innovative solutions require the right support to succeed. Many African entrepreneurs have visionary ideas but struggle with accessing crucial resources and networks. The MAC 2024 aims to bridge this gap by helping startups "Find Their Soil" through essential support, funding, and mentorship.

"‘Find Your Soil’ is a call for AgriTech innovators to identify the optimal environment where their vision can grow. Through the MEST Africa Challenge, we are committed to providing the necessary resources, visibility, and strategic support for these entrepreneurs to flourish,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa.

MEST Africa is dedicated to fostering job creation and economic growth across the continent by nurturing software entrepreneurship. Through specialized tech training and investment opportunities, MEST empowers Africa’s brightest minds to develop and scale impactful businesses.

The MEST Africa Challenge 2024 is open to AgriTech startups from key West African markets, including Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Togo. The winning startup will receive $50,000 in equity funding and access to MEST’s extensive global network, which offers valuable partnerships, mentorship, and investment opportunities to accelerate growth and enhance global reach.

Since its inception, MEST has invested over $30 million in training more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and has supported the launch of 90 early-stage tech startups across various sectors, including AgriTech, FinTech, SaaS, eCommerce, Digital Media, and Healthcare. This year's challenge represents a unique opportunity for AgriTech entrepreneurs to "Find Their Soil" and elevate their businesses to new heights.

Eligibility Criteria for MEST Africa Challenge 2024:

Early-stage technology startup

Monthly Recurring Revenue: Minimum of $5k

Funding raised: $0 to $1M cumulative

Years in existence: 3 years or less

Traction: At least 6 months of recurring revenue

Founding team: At least 2 members

Preferred: Registered in Delaware

Open to any industry and business model (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G, etc.)

All pitches must be in English

AgriTech entrepreneurs interested in applying can learn more and submit their applications here: https://apo-opa.co/3yUlSr6.