MEST incubator looks to Kenyan talent in regional expansion

On a crusade to create a pan-African business incubator, Ghanian-based initiative Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) has announced that it’s entering Kenya — the third country its gaining a foothold in the growing tech ecosystem.

Established in 2008, the MEST provides MBA-type training, investment and incubation to aspiring high tech entrepreneurs in Africa and with bridges to Silicon Valley.

As mentioned in a press release, MEST has plans to have new locations and mentor networks established in the coming years in Nairobi, Lagos, Cape Town and Johannesburg, in addition to its flagship in Accra, Ghana.

“2014 was the first year that MEST recruited outside of Ghana, due to our sponsored by Interswitch in Nigeria. We’ve found the diversification of students in Nigeria and Ghana exponentially increase the business ideas that come from this kind of meeting of the minds. We can only imagine the ripple effect of adding even more perspectives from across the continent,” says Ekua Odoom, the MD of MEST’s training programme.

In addition to opening its recruiting to Kenya applicants, MEST has shifted its program from two to one years.

“The scope and resources of our incubator programme is unique and a valuable service we provide the entrepreneurs in our community,”

Neal Hansch who’s the MD of the MEST Incubator, explains graduating entrepreneurs will have the ability to launch and have support for their companies in their home countries after the programme in Ghana.

“This will truly be a game-changer for our organisation and companies incubated at MEST,” adds Hansch. “This expansion enables a clear network effect amongst our points of presence and helps empower MEST portfolio companies to reach broader audiences of potential consumers, clients and partners.”

For more information on the programme and how to get involved, click here.