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Incubator · Accra, Ghana

MEST AI Startup Program

MEST's fully sponsored, residential programme in Accra trains West and East African software developers to build AI startups over seven months, then incubates selected ventures with up to US$100,000 in pre-seed investment.

Closed Run by MEST

Visit the programme's site

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published High-performing ventures can receive up to US$100,000 in pre-seed investment and join the MEST portfolio.
Instrument
not published
Equity taken
not published Equity terms not published.
Programme fee
No fee Fully sponsored: no payments to MEST; flights to Ghana and healthcare during the programme are covered.
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
In person
Stages
Idea, pre-seed
Sectors
AI
Open to founders from
not published
Perks
  • Flights to Ghana
  • Healthcare during the programme

Seven months of full-time residential training (January to July), then a four-month incubation phase (September to December) for selected ventures.

Application dates

ClosedClass of 2027

Usual timing: The Class of 2027 starts in January 2027 after interviews in October 2026.

Who can apply

  • Aged 21-35
  • Citizen of a West or East African country
  • A degree, diploma or equivalent experience, or strong software development experience
  • Software development experience and a basic understanding of AI
  • Available full time for up to 12 months
  • Stage: idea, pre-seed

What founders should check

  1. Equity: Equity terms not published. Ask for the exact stake before you accept a place.
  2. It charges no programme fee.
  3. It runs in person in Accra. Plan to be there for the length of the programme.
  4. The last window we track closed on 20 July 2026. The Class of 2027 starts in January 2027 after interviews in October 2026.

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Closed

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