MEST Opens 2027 AI Startup Program Applications, Offering Up to $100,000 Pre-Seed Funding
Updated
Updated · Opportunities For Africans · May 19
MEST Opens 2027 AI Startup Program Applications, Offering Up to $100,000 Pre-Seed Funding
8 articles · Updated · Opportunities For Africans · May 19
MEST opened applications on May 19 for its fully funded 2027 AI Startup Program, with submissions due by July 20 for founders from West and East Africa.
The 12-month track starts with seven months of residential training, where participants form teams, validate AI business ideas and build MVPs with input from practitioners at Google, Meta and OpenAI.
Selected ventures then move into a four-month incubation phase focused on market testing, customer acquisition, product iteration and investor pitching.
Top-performing startups can join MEST’s portfolio in January and receive up to $100,000 in pre-seed investment.
Applicants must be 21 to 35, have software development experience and AI basics, and commit full-time; shortlisted candidates outside Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Kenya must fund travel for in-person interviews.
Can Africa’s AI startups scale globally with limited computing power and a $331 billion funding gap?
As AI hubs emerge, how will Africa ensure its tech boom solves local problems, not just chase foreign investment?