Looking to launch a Tech Startup?
Here is what MEST Alumni have to say about the MEST Training Program.
This post was written by MEST Marketing Associate, Anjola Okunade.
Each year for the past 11 years, MEST has welcomed over 50 individuals from across Africa for a 1-year intensive, fully sponsored, entrepreneurial training. Called Entrepreneurs-In-Training (EITs), these individuals team-up, pitch for seed funding, and often go on to create globally competitive companies that solve pressing problems across many sectors. Now in 2019, Over 400 entrepreneurs have been trained through this program.
Wondering what alumni from the largest ideation program for Pan-Africans have to say about going through the program and starting companies? Bekithemba Ngulube, Co-Founder of Kweza and alumni from Class of 2019, said, “MEST offers a wonderful opportunity to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs looking to build businesses that will make a difference on the continent.”
Kweza helps ‘Spaza’ owners, which are small retail shops in South Africa to purchase and deliver their goods within 24 hours. At the core of Kweza’s mission, is their desire to uplift the community by increasing household incomes, thereby creating more wealth for small businesses. The Kweza team comprises of Bekithemba Ngulube and Ropafadzo Musvaire from Zimbabwe, Kelvin Ngunyi from Kenya, and Gloria Kaguo from Tanzania. In August, their company was one of the 11 MEST companies that received $100k each, in seed funding.
For Diana Osei, co-founder of BezoMoney, finding a group of founders with the same level of training was what propelled her to apply to the #MESTClassOf2019. “I have always wanted to start a software company. What better way than to enroll at MEST and graduate with a team of co-founders who have received the same quality of training?!” she said.
Diana Osei Mubarak Sumaila, and Kenneth Simpson from Ghana created BezoMoney, an efficient and user-friendly savings platform modeled after the local ‘susu’ style. BezoMoney offers the security of savings and accountability of leaders, within a sense of community. Their catchy slogan ‘save up, save together!’ puts everything into perspective.
David Obi who is from the MEST class of 2017 and is currently the CMO of Joluud, said “MEST has taught me that I can do whatever I set my mind to do. I love MEST because the values (we learned) aren’t just written; you see them being lived out every day, by the people at MEST”
Joluud is a web platform currently used by many companies including Stanbic IBTC Bank, Amara Suites; to improve communication between facility occupants and facility managers. It was founded by David Obi(Nigeria), Luqman Musah(Ghana), and Joshua Oguntade(Ghana).
The training program has been praised for many things including its scope of knowledge, the expertise of its faculty, access to mentorship and support it provides, and most especially, the diversity of the cohort it brings together from across the continent each year.
In its just graduated cohort, the #MESTClassOf2019, EITs represented 12 African countries. Its current cohort, the #MESTClassOf2020, has increased this number to 14 with first-time appearances from The Republic of Congo, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Botswana, Uganda, and Benin.
“I love MEST because it has made me learn and appreciate the diversity among us as well as realize our similarities regardless of where we come from,” said Cavendish Mwangi, EIT Class of 2018. “MEST brings out the best in people, and it’s upon this, that great things are born and an amazing future is created. MEST is one of the best gifts in my life.”
Cavendish is currently a freelance #techpreneur in her home country, Kenya.
MEST only hopes that diversity will continue to grow with the Class of 2021 applications now open. “We have had an interest in the past from almost every country on the continent. Each year applications get stronger and more competitive; I would be thrilled to see an even higher country representation for the next MEST (Training Program) cohort,” said Tobi Lafinhan, MEST Recruitment Manager.
Apply today for the MEST Class of 2021
Applications for the next cohort, the #MESTClassOf2021 have officially opened and all aspiring global software entrepreneurs are invited to apply for a spot amongst Africa’s brightest and best #NextGeneration leaders. As David Faugno, CFO of Qualtrics shared at the last MEST Africa Guest Lecture Weekend, “If you have an opportunity to do it, you have an obligation to do it!”
Apply here, or contact Recruitment for more information.
