MEST AI Startup Program 2027

The MEST AI Startup Program is a fully funded entrepreneurship programme for African founders building AI-enabled ventures. It supports participants through training, validation, startup development, and access to the MEST ecosystem.

MEST Africa lists this opportunity for Young African founders and entrepreneurs, AI, Data & Digital, Africa. Applicants should use the official call page to confirm final requirements before submitting.

Applicants should be young African founders or entrepreneurs building AI-enabled ventures.

The workbook lists the programme for West and East Africa; applicants should check the official MEST page for eligible countries, founder profile, team requirements, and programme location rules.

Applicants should be committed to building and scaling an AI-enabled startup.

AI-enabled venture building, startup validation, entrepreneurship training, product development, business model development, and ecosystem access.

The programme is designed to help founders build, validate, and launch scalable technology ventures.

The workbook lists the programme as fully funded with possible seed funding. Applicants should confirm seed funding and participation support details through the official MEST page.

Application deadline: Application deadline: Jul 20, 2026.

Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.

Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.

Apply through the official MEST Africa website by 20 July 2026.

Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.