- Investment Amount – $50,000
- Deadline – September 26, 2025
- CLICK HERE TO APPLY
The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) is a leading Pan-African pitch competition designed for early-stage technology startups ready to scale. The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 is led by MEST Africa and powered by Absa. MAC offers a powerful platform to access equity funding, build strategic networks, and gain global visibility.
.
Finalists pitch live to an audience of top investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders, with standout benefits including the chance to win $50,000 in equity, gain entry into the prestigious MEST Portfolio, pilot commercial solutions with Absa business units, and unlock exclusive partner prizes. Join a growing community of innovative African founders and take your startup to the next level.
.
Prizes
- Stand the chance of winning $50,000 in equity
- A chance to join the MEST Portfolio
- Commercial pilot pathway with Absa business units for qualified solutions
- Win prizes and perks from sponsoring partners
Eligibility:
- Sector Focus:
- – Fintech and other value chains
- Solutions may include:
- – Smart Credit & Alt-Lending
- – Fraud & Trust Tech
- – Personalised Money OS
- – Offline-Friendly Rails
- – Next-Gen Payments & Wallets
- – Investment Gateways
- – Agri-Tech Engines
- – Financial Literacy Re-imagined
- – Omnichannel CX & Super-Apps
- – Trade & Cross-Border Boosters
- – Product-Landing Platforms
- – Value-Add Service Layers
- – Integration Orchestrators
- – Micro & On-Demand Insurtech
- Early- to growth-stage startups, in operations for less than 3 years
- Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) of at least US $5,000 with at least 6 months of recurring revenue
- Cumulative funding raised must be US $1 million or less
- Must be operating in at least one of the following key markets: Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana
- Minimum of two co-founders or founding team members
- Must be able to pitch in English
- Registered as a Delaware C-corp or in a neutral jurisdiction (preferred, not mandatory)
……………………………………………………………………………………..
At Funding Square, we help African entrepreneurs and organizations access funding through three expert services:
.
- Grant Research Service – Get 50 tailored grant opportunities handpicked for your business or nonprofit, saving you time and effort.
- Grant Proposal Writing – We craft compelling, funder-friendly proposals that grab attention and increase your chances of success.
- Fundraising Business Plan – A powerful, funding-ready business plan designed to attract grants, loans, and investors.
Let’s turn your funding goals into reality!
.
Contact us today by sending us an email at hello@fundingsquare.org