MEST Africa Challenge 2024

Find Your Soil

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As MEST continues to deepen her influence on Africa’s tech landscape, the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) remains Africa’s premier pitch competition for Africa’s emerging tech entrepreneurs, bringing together relevant stakeholders all across the continent and globe to learn more about the happenings on the tech scene. This year will mark the 6th edition of MAC. MEST will provide the winning startup with investment capital, coaching and access to a global network of resources and partners as they build and scale successful businesses that add value to African economies and livelihoods.

This year, contestants for MAC will be based in West Africa with a focus on the following key markets: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo. For the first time, MAC will also place a sectoral emphasis on agri-tech,  recognizing its immense potential to drive sustainable development and economic growth in Africa.

Overview

17
Closes October 4, 2024
OrganizerMEST Africa
Website Visit website
Targets
Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
Sectors Agritech
Partner Organization MEST Africa image of MEST Africa Challenge
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Eligibility criteria

  • Early-stage Agritech startup
  • Monthly Recurring Revenue: A minimum of $5k
  • Funding raised: $0 to $1M cumulative
  • Years in existence: 3 years and below
  • Traction: At least 6 months of recurring revenue
  • Must be operating in one of the 14 MAC countries (Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo)
  • Founding team: At least 2 founding team members
  • Registered in Delaware (This is preferred)
  • Any business model (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G etc…)
  • All participants must pitch in English

Timeline

  • Applications open on 26th August 2024
  • Applications close on 4th October 2024
  • Top 20 Participants chosen on 14th October 2024
  • Virtual semi finals on 29th October 2024 and 30th October 2024
  • In-person finals date TBA

FAQs

The Grand Prize of MAC 2024 is $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 overall winner.

 

You’re eligible to apply if your company operates in one or more of the fourteen MAC countries (Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo.)

Pitch readiness sessions will only be organized for Finalists preparing for the final Demo Day.

3-4 days. Plan to arrive in Accra 1-2 days before the final competition and depart the day after.

Finalists will be fully sponsored with travel to and from Accra, housing, and transport for the final pitch day in December 2024. Please plan to arrive in Accra a few days before.

Yes.

All pitches and Q&A will be made in English.

Hybrid. Semi Finals will be virtual and the final demo day will be in Accra, Ghana.

Semi Finalists will be announced a few days after their pitch and the overall challenge winner will be announced at the end of the Final Demo Day in December.

Each pitch will last for 5 minutes with 5 minutes Q&A. Startups can include a live demo of their product during pitches. This should be within time.

The Semi Finals will be private and virtual. A link for this session will be shared in advance to all Semi Finalists.

  • The video duration should be a maximum of 3 minutes and can be taken with a mobile phone
  • The applicant must appear on camera for the pitch. This means that animated videos, videos with text and a voiceover, etc. cannot be used as the pitch.
  • Applicants will not be scored on video quality, as the focus will be on the pitch itself, however, the applicant must ensure s/he is visible and audible.
  • The pitch must be made in English

  • Complete an online application including a 3mins Video pitch
  • Selection of the top 20 applicants
  • Virtual Semi-Finals competition held for all countries
  • Selection of top 5 startups
  • The top 5 compete at the grand finale and Demo Day in Accra, Ghana

Your business must be an early-stage technology startup based in at least one of the fourteen MAC countries (Benin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali and Togo) with the following characteristics:

  • Monthly Recurring Revenue: A minimum of $5k
  • Funding raised: Cumulative $1M or less
  • Years in existence: 3 years and below
  • Traction: At least 6 months of recurring revenue
  • Founding team: At least 2 founding team members
  • Registered in Delaware (This is preferred)

Team