Applications open for 2020 MEST Africa Challenge

MEST — the pan-African training programme, seed fund, incubator and hub for tech entrepreneurs in Africa — has opened applications for the 2020 MEST Africa Challenge.

Tech entrepreneurs from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda are invited to pitch their startups.

Finalists of the pitch competition, which is now in its third year, stand to receive up to $50 000 in equity investment from MEST, space in a MEST incubator and the opportunity to pitch at the finals of the challenge which will be held at the 2020 MEST Africa Summit, which is expected to take place in Accra, Ghana in June.

Applications for the 2020 Mest Africa Challenge close on 18 April

MEST said on its website that due to the coronavirus, it currently advises against all non-essential local and international travel.

“All MEST events will be local, closed events with the potential to move digital as the need arises,” it said.

The top 10 startups from each of the respective countries will pitch at MEST Incubator locations or local partners offices between 1 and 22 May. MEST said the exact dates are subject to change if the challenge moves online.

Tech startups that are currently generating revenue, have been operating for no more than two years and have raised not more than $100 000 since inception, are eligible to apply.

Applications close on 18 April.

Read more: Meet the five finalists of the 2019 MEST Africa Challenge who will pitch for $50k
Read more: Here are the 50 regional finalists of the 2019 MEST Africa Challenge
Read more: MEST opens applications for 2019 MEST Africa Challenge