GRANT · HOW TO WIN THIS
Varies; early-stage investment offered to selected ventures, amount not publicly specified.
Runs annually; the MEST Africa Challenge 2025 cycle launched in August 2025. Check meltwater.org for the next round.
FUNDING TYPE
Accelerator
CAN YOU GET THIS?
YOUR REAL ODDS
MEST has funded 94 businesses from a pool of 2,000+ trained entrepreneurs since 2008, pointing to a selective investment rate.
The training program itself is competitive and in-person, and investment is only offered to promising ventures that emerge from or engage with the program. A separate annual challenge (MAC) with a top-10 finalist structure suggests a highly competitive selection process.
WHAT IT TAKES
Check current open programs and application windows on meltwater.org — 30 minutes
Apply to the training program or the MEST Africa Challenge as relevant to your stage — Several hours to prepare application materials
Participate in selection rounds (semi-finals, finals for the Challenge) — Weeks to months depending on program
WORTH KNOWING
MEST also runs MESTx, a set of partner-delivered programs that may offer additional or more accessible entry points beyond the flagship training program — worth exploring if the core program is not currently open.
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€30,000 per year, plus coaching and network access
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