Deadline: 20th July, 2026
Since 2008, MEST’s Training Program has been at the forefront of nurturing Africa’s tech talent in software entrepreneurship. As Artificial Intelligence reshapes industries, economies, and the future of work, they believe Africa should be at the forefront and in 2026, they acted on that belief. They redesigned their program with a sharp focus on AI, launching the first cohort of the MEST AI Startup Program to equip Africa’s brightest minds to build and scale globally competitive AI startups.
Now in its second year, the program is open and applications are live. If you have the drive to build, the curiosity to learn, and the ambition to compete on a global stage, this is your opportunity. Over 7 months, you will form a team, validate a real AI business idea, build and deploy an MVP, and learn directly from world-class practitioners at Google, Meta, OpenAI, and beyond. The most promising ventures go further, entering a four-month incubation phase focused on scaling, acquiring real customers, and pitching for pre-seed investment.
This is how MEST turns ambitious individuals into founding teams, and promising ideas into ventures that compete on a global stage. Are you ready to be next?
Benefits
- Build and Test Real AI Startups
Join a team, validate an AI-driven idea, and build a minimum viable product (MVP) through rapid prototyping, user testing, and continuous iteration. This is an execution-first program that turns ideas into investor-ready ventures.
- Grow Through Collaboration and Feedback
Work with a diverse cohort of aspiring founders from across the continent. Form lasting partnerships, sharpen your thinking through peer feedback, and build resilient startups with global potential.
- Learn from Global Experts
Work closely with AI practitioners, startup operators, and business leaders from world-class institutions such as OpenAI, Perplexity, Google, Meltwater, and many more. Our experts bring deep technical and entrepreneurial experience to support your journey.
- Incubation and Path towards Investment
At the end of the program, select teams enter a 4-month incubation phase to scale, acquire users, and pitch for up to $100,000 in pre-seed investment from the MEST Portfolio.
Eligibility
- Education: Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or equivalent experience
- Age: 21-35
- Experience: Demonstrated software development experience, basic understanding of AI, strong interest in entrepreneurship
- Mindset: Entrepreneurial, innovative, problem-solving, lifelong learner, ready for high-intensity startup environment
- Citizenship: West or East African citizen. (Note: Nationals outside of our core recruitment countries of Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Kenya must be able, at their own cost, to travel to one of the core countries for in-person interviews, if shortlisted.)
- Availability: Fully committed for up to 12 months (7-month training + 4-month incubation) plus desire to pursue entrepreneurship full-time afterward
Preferred Skills
- Strong ability to work in cross-functional and cross-cultural teams
- Experience in AI innovation
- Interest in global market expansion
- Previous entrepreneurial experience
For more information and application.