By Dipo Olowookere
Exceptional AgriTech entrepreneurs have been urged to enter the 2024 Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) challenge to stand a chance to win the $50,000 grand prize.
A statement from the organisers of the event disclosed that the money is equity funding alongside access to MEST’s extensive global network. The winner will also have the opportunity to unlock valuable partnerships, mentorship, and investment opportunities to accelerate their growth and global presence.
The funds are being provided in support of the Norwegian Embassy, which aims to identify and support AgriTech entrepreneurs addressing critical agricultural challenges in West Africa.
The challenge is targeted at startups from key West African markets, including Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Togo.
The small firms must be in the early stage, have a minimum monthly recurring revenue of $5,000, must have been in business for a maximum of three years, have at least two founding team members, must pitch in English and must operate any business model like B2B, B2C, B2B2C, B2G, etc.
Since its inception, MEST has invested over $30 million into training more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and has supported the launch of 90 early-stage tech startups across sectors, including AgriTech, FinTech, SaaS, e-commerce, digital media, and healthcare.
The organisation said this year presents an unparalleled opportunity for AgriTech entrepreneurs to Find Their Soil and take their businesses to the next level.
“Find Your Soil is a call to action for AgriTech innovators to discover the ideal environment where their vision can flourish.
“Through the MEST Africa Challenge, we aim to support this ecosystem by providing the necessary resources, visibility, and strategic support for these entrepreneurs to thrive,” the Portfolio Advisor for MEST Africa, Ashwin Ravichandran, said.