The deadline for applications is October 4, 2024.
MEST Africa, a leading pan-African incubator and accelerator, has announced the launch of the MEST Africa Challenge 2024.
The competition is open to early-stage AgriTech startups from across West Africa and offers a grand prize of $50,000 in equity funding.
The MEST Africa Challenge aims to support innovative startups that are developing solutions to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector in West Africa.
These challenges include:
- limited access to weather information,
- crop data, and processing methods,
- food insecurity and climate change.
To be eligible for the competition, startups must:
- Be based in one of the participating West African countries: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, or Togo.
- Have a minimum of $5,000 in monthly recurring revenue for at least six months.
- Have raised less than $1 million in funding.
- Be less than three years old.
The winning startup will not only receive financial support but also benefit from mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to MEST’s global network.
This comprehensive package can help accelerate growth and expand the startup’s reach.
“We are excited to launch the MEST Africa Challenge 2024,” said Jorn Lyseggen founder of MEST Africa.
“AgriTech is a critical sector for the development of West Africa, and we believe that startups have the potential to revolutionize the industry. We are committed to supporting these innovative companies and helping them to scale their businesses”.
To apply for this fund, visit MEST website for more information.
Click to see Top International Grants Available for Agricultural Businesses in 2024
FAQs
Which company is funding MEST Africa Challenge?
MEST is funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of Meltwater, a global leader in media intelligence and Outside Insight.
When was MEST founded?
The initiative was founded in Ghana in 2008.
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