Deadline: August 22, 2025
Applications are open for the MEST AI Startup Program Class of 2026. The MEST AI Startup Program is an up to 12-month immersive experience designed to equip Africa’s most promising AI entrepreneurs with the technical, business, and leadership skills needed to build and scale globally competitive AI startups.
The program is structured in two phases. The first phase is a seven-month training program for all selected participants. This training is followed by a graduation ceremony and transition period. Select startups will move into an additional four-month incubation period.
Program Details
The seven-month training program (January – July 2026) is a hands-on, activity-based experience where participants explore and refine AI business ideas, develop and deploy an AI MVP, and gain deep expertise in AI software development and business fundamentals. They engage directly with renowned AI practitioners, entrepreneurs and experts in their fields from around the globe, while applying lean startup principles, business modeling, and go-to-market strategies. The training culminates in a pitch opportunity, where high-potential teams are selected to continue into the incubation phase.
The four-month incubation program (September – December 2026) is designed for the most promising AI startups from the training phase. This stage focuses on scaling AI products, securing customers, and preparing for investment. Startups refine their business models with real market validation while working closely with mentors, investors, and industry leaders to develop funding strategies. By the end of the program, startups will have a fully deployable AI product, an established user base, and a roadmap for securing investment and growing their business.
This structured approach ensures that participants receive world-class mentorship, develop tangible AI solutions, and gain a clear pathway toward investment and market success.
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
- Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or equivalent experience;
- Be 21 – 30 years;
- Must have demonstrated software development experience, a basic understanding of artificial intelligence, and strong interest in entrepreneurship.
- Entrepreneurial, Innovative, problem-solving, life-long learner, and ready to work in a high-intensity startup environment. Strong desire to be an entrepreneur.
- Be a Citizen of a country in West Africa
- Fully committed for up to 12 months (the 7-month training + 4-month incubation) plus a 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
- Applications open July 2, 2025 and close August 22, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early to fast-track your review process.
- All applicants will be informed by September 10, 2025 if they have been invited to the final in-person group challenge and individual interviews to be held at the end of September through early October. Contracts will be sent to accepted candidates in mid-October 2025.
- Training begins for the AI Startup Program in January 2026.
For more information, visit MEST AI Startup Program.
