MEST offers a graduate-level entrepreneurial training program led by experienced global mentors. It’s open to aspiring entrepreneurs from across the African continent.
The MEST Training Program is a 12-month, full time, fully sponsored program in which the cohort – known as Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) – complete a graduate-level course in software development, business and communications, with a focus on practical implementation.
The MEST program provides rigorous entrepreneurial training and extensive hands-on project work, designed to ensure EITs master industry-proven methodologies for developing startups. This coursework is supplemented by sector speaks and a series of guest lectures, bringing in the experiences and insights of internationally-recognized executives and successful entrepreneurs.
The course culminates in an investor pitch and the chance to receive seed funding and enter the MEST incubator.
We recruit applicants with the following qualities
- An entrepreneurial spirit and strong desire to start a company
- Ability to communicate candidly and persuasively
- Ability to work well in teams
- Proven academic excellence
- Demonstrated leadership abilities
- Ability to meet goals and deadlines
- Demonstrated personal drive, stamina, and self-motivation
- Confidence and independent thinking
- Excellent people skills
Application Requirements
We’re looking for business-oriented applicants who are interested in learning how to start a software company. While it’s not a requirement to have previous coding experience, a strong interest in learning about technology is a must. We’ve designed the MEST programme to give you the business, communications and technical skills you’ll need to start and scale a successful company.
Successful applications have the following:
Passion
A deep passion for starting a software company
Experience
Entrepreneurial or corporate work experience
Education
A degree from a top university or Technical College (or equivalent experience)
MEST Training Program at a glance
The year-long training programme provides Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) with MBA-level entrepreneurship training in business, software development and communications.
While diving deep into fundamental business and technology concepts, EITs complete 3 Capstones per year – they form teams, come up with an idea, build and validate a product, attain customers and pitch the idea in front of our board.
The year culminates in a final exam in the form of an investor pitch, after which some companies will receive seed funding and enter the MEST Incubator.
Closing date: 07 February 2020