Deadline: July 20, 2026
Applications are open for the MEST AI Startup Program 2027. 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, MEST believes 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
- The MEST AI Startup Program is fully-sponsored and requires no financial payments to MEST. This is a full-time residential program that requires you to commit to full participation for a minimum of 7 months of training and, if selected, an additional 4 months of incubation.
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 the 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
Application
For more information, visit MEST AI Startup Program.
