Build Better Business
MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), is a Pan-African start-up competition, for startups who are ready to scale and expand into new markets.
Launched with the aim of providing a stage for technology startups to raise funding, build industry networks and gain global visibility, the competition has grown to become a key establishment in Africa’s startup technology industry giving an unprecedented global platform to hundreds of entrepreneurs from all over Africa.
In its fourth year, MAC 2022 will call for technology startups in 5 African markets – Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa.
| Program dates | Oct 1 - Dec 1, 2022 |
| Organizer | MEST Africa |
| Website | Visit website |
| Targets | Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa |
| Sectors |
Agritech, Clean technology and energy, Computer software, Creative, media and entertainment, E-commerce, EdTech, Fashion, Fintech, HealthTech, HR and recruitment, ICT, Legal services, Marketing and PR, Natural gas utilities, Real estate, Software as a Service
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Selected companies for this year’s MEST Africa Challenge country finals will be notified by 30th September. Shortlisted companies will pitch on the following dates:
*All regional pitches will be held virtually
For inquiries, please email us at mac@meltwater.org
The Regional Finals will occur in Accra, Lagos, Dakar, Cape Town and Nairobi. The pitch location for regionals will be shared closer to the date.
Each pitch will last for 5 minutes with 5 minutes of Q&A. Startups must include a live demo of their product during pitches.
Winners will be announced at the end of each competition day.
All pitches and Q&A will be made in English.
Yes. Both the Regional Finals and Final Demo Day will be physical events.
Regional Finalists will be fully sponsored with travel to and from Accra, housing, and transport for the final pitch day on December 1, 2022. Regional finalists should plan to arrive in Accra at the end of November 2022.
3-4 days. Regional Finalists will arrive in Accra 2 days before the competition and will depart on 2nd December 2022.
Note: The winner will be expected to stay in Accra for a longer duration, about 5-6 days total.
Pitch readiness sessions will only be organized for Regional Finalists preparing for the final Demo Day.
You’re eligible to apply if your company is based in one or more of the 5 countries where we will hold the Regional Finals (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya)
$50,000 in equity investment, access to MEST Portfolio resources and strategic partnerships, 1-year professional business coaching in addition to other benefits and prizes for the main winner and Regional Finalists.
A pre-seed or seed stage tech-enabled or software company that is currently generating income and has been in operation for 2 years or under. The company must be able to demonstrate traction in at least one of the 5 MAC countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya).
The female-founded startup emerged as the winner out of four other startup finalists from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.… read more
MEST Africa has announced Sproutly (Nigeria), Kwely (Senegal), Swoove (Ghana), Hisa (Kenya) and Desert Green Africa (South Africa) as the startups who will be… read more
