Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Deadline: August 22, 2025
The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology – MEST AI Startup Program 2026 is an exciting fully funded, 12-month accelerator designed for visionary AI entrepreneurs in Africa. Backed by MEST Africa, this intensive program provides early-stage AI-driven startups with the tools, capital, mentorship, and ecosystem support they need to scale solutions that tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges.
The seven-month MEST AI Startup Program 2026 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.
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Eligibility Criteria
- Education: Bachelor’s degree, diploma, or equivalent experience
- Age: 21 – 30
- Experience: Must have demonstrated software development experience, a basic understanding of artificial intelligence, and strong interest in entrepreneurship.
- Mindset: Entrepreneurial, Innovative, problem-solving, life-long learner, and ready to work in a high-intensity startup environment. Strong desire to be an entrepreneur
- Citizenship: Citizen of a country in West Africa
Availability: 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
Recruitment Focus Countries
For the 2026 intake, our focus is West Africa. We will hold in-person interviews in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. West African nationals from other countries are welcome to apply but will need to be able to travel to Ghana, Nigeria, or Senegal for in-person interviews and the group challenge in September/October if shortlisted.
Application Process and Documents Required
1. Complete the Program Eligibility Screening
This initial screening is the first step in the application process. Your responses will help us determine if you meet the core eligibility criteria for the program. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will be granted access to the general application form.
2. Complete the MEST AI Startup Program Application Form
Here, you will share some basic demographic information, highlight your skills and interest in the program, and upload a short personal statement video.
3. Complete the required assessment and final reflection
After completing the application form, you will proceed to take the required assessments. These assessments will evaluate your technical, business, and interpersonal skills. After completing the assessment, you will upload a short video reflecting on your experience.
4. In-person group challenge & Individual interviews
After application reviews, shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person group challenge and individual interviews in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal.
5. Contract offer
Selected candidates will receive a contract for review.
Program Timeline
- Contracts are sent in October 2025
- Virtual pre-learning occurs from November – December 2025
- Arrival in Ghana and program start: January 2026
- Training Program Graduation: August 2026
- Incubation for select ventures: September – December 2026
- End of full program: December 2026
- Onboarding to Portfolio for ventures selected for investment: January 2027
Application Timeline:
Training begins for the AI Startup Program in January 2026.s.
Applications open 2nd July 2025 and close 22nd August 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 10th September 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.
