Applications are now open for the 2027 MEST AI Startup Program. The fully-funded 12-month program is designed for ambitious founders across West and East Africa ready to build with those shaping what’s next. 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.
WORTH
- 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 our 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
DEADLINE: July 20, 2026
To apply and for more information, visit here.
