Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) AI Startup Program 2026 for AI entrepreneurs (Fully-Funded, 12-month sprint)

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Application Deadline:  twenty second August 2025.

Applications are actually open for the 2026 MEST AI Startup Program. The MEST AI Startup Program is an as much as 12-month immersive expertise designed to equip Africa’s most promising AI entrepreneurs with the technical, enterprise, and management expertise wanted to construct and scale globally aggressive AI startups. 

The program is structured in two phases. The first part is a seven-month coaching program for all chosen individuals. This coaching is adopted by a commencement ceremony and transition interval. Select startups will transfer into an extra four-month incubation interval.

The seven-month coaching program (January – July 2026) is a hands-on, activity-based expertise the place individuals discover and refine AI enterprise concepts, develop and deploy an AI MVP, and acquire deep experience in AI software program improvement and enterprise fundamentals. They have interaction instantly with famend AI practitioners, entrepreneurs and consultants of their fields from across the globe, whereas making use of lean startup rules, enterprise modeling, and go-to-market methods. The coaching culminates in a pitch alternative, the place high-potential groups are chosen to proceed into the incubation part.

The four-month incubation program (September – December 2026) is designed for probably the most promising AI startups from the coaching part. This stage focuses on scaling AI merchandise, securing prospects, and getting ready for funding. Startups refine their enterprise fashions with actual market validation whereas working carefully with mentors, buyers, and trade leaders to develop funding methods. By the tip of this system, startups can have a totally deployable AI product, a longtime person base, and a roadmap for securing funding and rising their enterprise.

This structured method ensures that individuals obtain world-class mentorship, develop tangible AI options, and acquire a transparent pathway towards funding and market success.

• Education: Bachelor’s diploma, diploma, or equal expertise
• Age: 21 – 30 
• Experience: Must have demonstrated software program improvement expertise, a fundamental understanding of synthetic intelligence, and powerful curiosity in entrepreneurship. 
• Mindset: Entrepreneurial, Innovative, problem-solving, life-long learner, and able to work in a high-intensity startup setting. Strong want to be an entrepreneur
• Citizenship: Citizen of a rustic in West Africa 

Availability: Fully dedicated for as much as 12 months (the 7-month coaching + 4-month incubation) plus a want to pursue entrepreneurship full-time afterward. 

Preferred Skills:

• Strong means to work in cross-functional and cross-cultural groups 
• Experience in AI innovation
• Interest in international market growth
• Previous entrepreneurial expertise

Recruitment Focus Countries 

For the 2026 consumption, our focus is West Africa. We will maintain in-person interviews in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. West African nationals from different nations are welcome to apply however will want to have the ability to journey to Ghana, Nigeria, or Senegal for in-person interviews and the group problem in September/October if shortlisted.

Recruitment Process

1. Complete the Program Eligibility Screening

This preliminary screening is step one within the application course of. Your responses will assist us decide if you happen to meet the core eligibility standards for this system. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll be granted entry to the overall application kind. 

2. Complete the MEST AI Startup Program Application Form

Here, you’ll share some fundamental demographic data, spotlight your expertise and curiosity in this system, and add a brief private assertion video.

3. Complete the required evaluation and ultimate reflection

After finishing the application kind, you’ll proceed to take the required assessments. These assessments will consider your technical, enterprise, and interpersonal expertise. After finishing the evaluation, you’ll add a brief video reflecting in your expertise. 

4. In-person group problem & Individual interviews

After application opinions, shortlisted candidates might be invited to an in-person group problem and particular person interviews in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal.

5. Contract provide

Selected candidates will obtain a contract for assessment.

Program Timeline 

• Contracts are despatched in October 2025 
• Virtual pre-learning happens from November – December 2025 
• Arrival in Ghana and program begin: January 2026 
• Training Program Graduation: August 2026 
• Incubation for choose ventures: September – December 2026 
• End of full program: December 2026 
• Onboarding to Portfolio for ventures chosen for funding: January 2027

Application Timeline:

• Applications open 2nd July 2025 and shut twenty second August 2025. Applications might be reviewed on a rolling foundation, so we encourage you to apply early to fast-track your assessment course of. 
• All candidates might be knowledgeable by tenth September 2025 if they’ve been invited to the ultimate in-person group problem and particular person interviews to be held on the finish of September by early October. Contracts might be despatched to accepted candidates in mid-October 2025.
• Training begins for the AI Startup Program in January 2026.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the MEST AI Startup Program.