MEST Africa is now accepting proposals from entrepreneurs throughout the continent for its 2024 MEST Africa Challenge. The goal of this yearly competition is to identify and assist creative tech entrepreneurs in Africa. It provides a venue for entrepreneurs to present their ideas and obtain vital capital, coaching, and networking possibilities.

The challenge is intended for early-stage technology firms across many industries, and the winners will receive significant assistance to grow their companies.

By joining MEST Africa’s large network of investors and industry experts, participants can increase their chances of success and growth in the very competitive tech sector.

As MEST Africa continues to make a significant impact on the tech scene in Africa, the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) stands out as one of the premier pitch competitions for the continent’s emerging tech entrepreneurs.

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It serves as a convergence point for relevant stakeholders across the continent and the globe to learn more about the latest tech innovations. This year marks the 6th edition of the MAC, and MEST is committed to providing the winning startup with investment capital, coaching, and access to a global network of resources and partners to help them build and scale successful businesses that add value to African economies and livelihoods.

In the 2024 edition, the contestants for MAC will primarily be based in West Africa, with a specific focus on key markets including Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Togo.

This year’s challenge will also feature a sectoral emphasis on agri-tech, recognising its immense potential to drive sustainable development and economic growth in Africa.

Key Benefits of the MEST Africa Challenge:

Win $50,000 in equity.
Gain global visibility from investors and potential partners
Receive lifetime benefits from MEST’s community.
Stand a chance to win prizes and perks from MEST strategic partners.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the program, startups must meet specific criteria, including being an early-stage agritech startup, having a minimum of $5,000 in monthly recurring revenue, raising between $0 and $1 million in cumulative funding, being in existence for three years or less, and having at least six months of recurring revenue. Additionally, all participants must pitch in English.

Competition Stages:

The competition consists of five stages, starting with the online application. Successful applicants will then proceed to subsequent stages, including the selection of the top 20 semi-finalists, virtual semi-finals for the top 20 applicants, the selection of the top 5 finalists, and a final demo day in Accra.

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Semi-finalists will be announced a few days after their pitch, with the overall challenge winner being announced at the end of the final demo day in December.

It’s important to note that the semi-finals will be held virtually, while the final demo day will be in Accra, Ghana. This provides a unique opportunity for startups to compete and showcase their innovations on a global platform.

The MEST Africa Challenge 2024 offers a wonderful chance for tech startups in Africa to receive support, visibility, and funding to scale their businesses. If your startup meets the eligibility criteria, don’t miss the chance to apply and take the next step towards success in the tech industry.