MEST Training Program for African Entrepreneurs 2024

MEST offers a 12-month graduate-level training to aspiring entrepreneurs across the African continent.

The entrepreneurial training program in business, communications and software development includes extensive hands-on project work, culminating in a final pitch and the chance to receive seed investment and grow businesses.

We also offer our entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs) the opportunity to expand their network and receive feedback and mentorship from real-life Entrepreneurs, CEO and other executives from all over the world. We also offer our entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs) the opportunity to expand their network and receive feedback and mentorship from real-life Entrepreneurs, CEOs and other executives from all over the world. Our quarterly Guest Lecturers have been executives of Uber, Facebook, Safaricom, Samsung, Interswitch, MTN, and many more.

Since its inception in 2008, MEST has invested over $30m in training 2000+ individual entrepreneurs and funded 90+ software companies across Africa. MEST entrepreneurs have developed solutions addressing local, regional and global markets, received follow-on funding from global investors, and gotten into top accelerator programs such as Y Combinator, 500 Startups and TechStars.

Curriculum Sample

• Core Programming Languages
• Web and Mobile Development
• UI/UX
• Forming Culture Driven Teams
• Business and Revenue Modeling
• Branding and Communications
• Market Research
• Product Development and Innovation
• Marketing and Growth Hacking
• Financial Management and Investments
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance
• Metrics and Measurements
• Sales and Traction
• Preparing for investments
• Branding and Communications
• Marketing and Growth Hacking
• Investor Pitching 
• Team Management and Leadership 

About Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST)

MEST is an Africa-wide technology entrepreneur training program, internal seed fund, and network of hubs offering incubation for technology startups in Africa. 

MEST Training Program

Aim and Benefits of MEST Training Program

• The entrepreneurial training program in business, communications and software development includes extensive hands-on project work, culminating in a final pitch and the chance to receive seed investment and grow businesses.
• MEST offer entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs) the opportunity to expand their network and receive feedback and mentorship from real-life Entrepreneurs, CEO and other executives from all over the world.
• MEST also offer our entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs) the opportunity to expand their network and receive feedback and mentorship from real-life Entrepreneurs, CEOs and other executives from all over the world.
• MEST quarterly Guest Lecturers have been executives of Uber, Facebook, Safaricom, Samsung, Interswitch, MTN, and many more.

Requirements for MEST Training Program Qualification

• A strong entrepreneurial spirit and a deep desire to start a software company
• A degree from a top university or Technical College or equivalent experience with at least two (2) years corporate and startup experience (preferred)
• Deep skills in either communications, business or software development 
• Young persons between the ages of 18-35, who are passionate about tech and entrepreneurship
• Should be ready to commit to a full-time, fully residential program for 12 months in Accra, Ghana
• Disciplined, motivated self-starter who can work and deliver on assignments and projects - demonstrate this by completing the required assessment and MEST’s rigorous recruitment process
• Ability to communicate candidly and persuasively
• Ability to work well in teams, proven academic or professional excellence
• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Confident and independent thinking
• Excellent people skills

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Complete the required assessment:

MEST Entrepreneurial Resilience and Personality Evaluation

Kindly note that you are required to finish this assessment and submit your proof of completion in the application form by the application deadline.

For more details, visit MEST website.