Forty-five startups from across the continent have been named regional finalists for the latest MEST Africa Challenge, the winner of which will secure US$50,000 in equity funding.
Founded in Ghana in 2008 by serial entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen, MEST is a pan-African software and entrepreneurship training programme, seed fund, and incubator helping to launch technology startups across the continent.
Disrupt Africa reported in August it had announced the opening of applications for the fifth edition of the MEST Africa Challenge, and 45 companies from Ghana (10), Nigeria (10), Kenya (10), South Africa (10) and Senegal (5) have now been named regional finalists. The grand prize at stake is US$50,000 in equity investment, plus long-term partnership and ongoing support from MEST Africa.
The 10 selected Kenyan startups are Mywagepay, Snark Health, Urbantechforhope, Pigee, Letaji, Investa Farm, Tulix, Circularity Space, Digital Realm Entertainment, and Moti, while Ghana is represented by Edanra, Eazy Chain, FlowersGH, Tourizilla, QKnow Edtech, Bouquet, Masters Hive Centre for Innovation, FarmWallet, Chestify AI Labs, and Advance Pharma Innovations.
Nigeria is represented by Doktorconnect, OneHealth, Sproutly, iblooy, HealthGo, Innovastra, SmartTeller, Artisan Oga, Blueroom Care, and Konnadex Technologies, and South Africa by Koa Academy, ESusFarm Africa, BOS Technology, Insaaph, Smart Food Growing Technologies, DeepLeaf, Thola, Aurora Media Group, SafeAfrica, and Biocertica.
The five selected Senegalese ventures are SAYNA, Microact, Yoonema, RAYNIS, and InterSIP International.
These startups will now compete to demonstrate their potential impact to a panel of judges, in order to secure a place in the final pitch as well as gain visibility, connect with investors, and potentially receive funding to scale their impact.
