MEST AI Startup Program 2027 (Fully-funded) – YOA

Deadline: July 20, 2026

Applications are open for the MEST AI Startup Program 2027. Since 2008, MEST’s Training Program has been on the forefront of nurturing Africa’s tech expertise in software program entrepreneurship. As Artificial Intelligence reshapes industries, economies, and the way forward for work, MEST believes Africa needs to be on the forefront and in 2026, they acted on that perception. They redesigned their program with a pointy deal with AI, launching the primary cohort of the MEST AI Startup Program to equip Africa’s brightest minds to construct and scale globally aggressive AI startups.

Now in its second 12 months, this system is open and purposes are stay. If you could have the drive to construct, the curiosity to be taught, and the ambition to compete on a world stage, that is your OPPORTUNITY. Over 7 months, you’ll kind a workforce, validate an actual AI enterprise thought, construct and deploy an MVP, and be taught straight from world-class practitioners at Google, Meta, OpenAI, and past. The most promising ventures go additional, getting into a 4-month incubation section centered on scaling, buying actual prospects, and pitching for pre-seed funding.

This is how MEST turns formidable people into founding groups, and promising concepts into ventures that compete on a world stage. Are you able to be subsequent?

Benefits

• The MEST AI Startup Program is absolutely-sponsored and requires no monetary funds to MEST. This is a full-time residential program that requires you to decide to full participation for no less than 7 months of coaching and, if chosen, an extra 4 months of incubation.

Eligibility

• Education: Bachelor’s diploma, diploma, or equal expertise
• Age: 21-35
• Experience: Demonstrated software program improvement expertise, primary understanding of AI, robust curiosity in entrepreneurship
• Mindset: Entrepreneurial, revolutionary, downside-fixing, lifelong learner, prepared for top-depth startup setting
• Citizenship: West or East African citizen. (Note: Nationals exterior of the core recruitment international locations of Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Kenya have to be in a position, at their very own price, to journey to one of many core international locations for in-individual interviews, if shortlisted.)
• Availability: Fully dedicated for as much as 12 months (7-month coaching + 4-month incubation) plus need to pursue entrepreneurship full-time afterward

Preferred Skills

• Strong skill to work in cross-practical and cross-cultural groups
• Experience in AI innovation
• Interest in world market enlargement
• Previous entrepreneurial expertise

Application

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to MEST AI Startup Program.