MEST Express Acceleration Program for Ghanaian Start-up Entrepreneurs
MEST Express Acceleration Program for Ghanaian Start-up Entrepreneurs - Scholarships by Region, Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Host country
- Ghana
- Region
- Africa
About this scholarship
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[December 23, 2021December 23, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/12/23/)
MEST Express is a startup acceleration program in Ghana that helps early-stage and growth-stage companies prepare for financing. It’s made to give hands-on business interventions with a focus on quick implementation and measurable business outcomes. The program works with entrepreneurs to ensure that their firms are ready for development and impact.
**Application deadline:** January 16, 2022
* * *
Stay in the loop! Get weekly updates on new scholarships offerings here.
* * *
## Benefits of the MEST Express Acceleration Program
After 20 weeks of hands-on expert-led workshops and mentorship, startups in each cohort have the opportunity to participate in a pitching session where top-performing ventures receive equity-free grant funding.
The sessions will be held in person at the MEST campus as well as online. Participants are expected to attend all necessary sessions whether virtual or in real life. COIVD protocols will be strictly adhered to for the safety of all program participants.
The following program focus areas will be tackled:
- Funding & Investment readiness
- Risk Management and Crisis Resilience
- Product Management & Positioning
- Business and Revenue Modelling
- Sales & Customer Acquisition
- Market Research & Competitive Analysis
- Marketing & Brand awareness
- Organizational Structuring
## Eligibility Criteria for Ghanaian Entrepreneurs
In order to qualify for the opportunity, Ghanaian start-up entrepreneurs must first meet the following requirements. The businesses supported by MEST Express Acceleration Program include the following:
- Early to growth stage Ghanaian startups
- 1-3 years in operation
- Technology or tech-enabled
- $100k or less in funding
- Proven problem-solution fit
- Generating revenue
- Can demonstrate traction
- Any business model
### **A Startup’s Journey**
## · **Week 0 – Onboarding & Orientation**
## · **Week 1 – Needs Assessment**
## · **Week 2 to 4 – Ongoing workshops**
## · **Week 5 – Mentor Matching**
## · **Week 6 to 9 – Ongoing workshops**
## · **Week 10 – Midpoint debriefs**
## · **Week 11 to 19 – Ongoing workshops**
## · **Week 20 – Retrospective & Final Exhibition**
## How to Apply for Start-ups
In order to join the MEST Express Acceleration Program, interested Ghanaian entrepreneurs are invited to visit the official scholarship website found [here](https://meltwater.org/mest-express/).
* * *
_brought to you by Scholarships for Africans_
[**Scholarships for Africans**](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/) is a premier scholarship information blog committed to bringing more opportunities for Africans globally. They are part of the African Scholar Initiative, powered by Scholarship Hippo.
Be a part of our growing community!
**JOIN:** [Scholarships for Africans Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScholarshipsforAfricans)
**LIKE:** [African Scholar Initiative Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/AfricanScholarInitiative)
**FOLLOW:** [Scholarships for Africans Instagram page](https://www.instagram.com/african_scholar/)
### Share this:
- [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=facebook&nb=1)
- [Share on X (Opens in new window)X](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=twitter&nb=1)
- [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)WhatsApp](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1)
- [Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)LinkedIn](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=linkedin&nb=1)
- [Share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Telegram](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=telegram&nb=1)
- [More](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/#)
- [Print (Opens in new window)Print](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/#print?share=print&nb=1)
- [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Reddit](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=reddit&nb=1)
- [Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Tumblr](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=tumblr&nb=1)
- [Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Pinterest](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/?share=pinterest&nb=1)
### Like this:
LikeLoading...
### _Related_
[MEST Africa Training Program for African Entrepreneurs](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-africa-training-program-for-african-entrepreneurs/ "MEST Africa Training Program for African Entrepreneurs")
[UCT e-Track Program for South African Start-up Entrepreneurs](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/uct-e-track-program-for-south-african-start-up-entrepreneurs/ "UCT e-Track Program for South African Start-up Entrepreneurs")
[Ernst and Young – Entrepreneurial Winning Women Program for South African Female Entrepreneurs](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/ernst-and-young-entrepreneurial-winning-women-program-for-south-african-female-entrepreneurs/ "Ernst and Young – Entrepreneurial Winning Women Program for South African Female Entrepreneurs")
## One thought on “MEST Express Acceleration Program for Ghanaian Start-up Entrepreneurs”
1. Pingback: [MEST Express Acceleration Program for Ghanaian Start-up Entrepreneurs – Scholarship Hippo](https://scholarshiphippo.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/)
### Leave a Reply[Cancel reply](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/\#respond)
Post a Comment
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [Learn how your comment data is processed.](https://akismet.com/privacy/)
[Previous postKnight—Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism – Study at Columbia University](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/knight-bagehot-fellowship-in-economics-and-business-journalism-study-at-columbia-university/)
[Next postUniversity of Nottingham Developing Solutions Masters Scholarships for African Students](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/university-of-nottingham-developing-solutions-masters-scholarships-for-african-students/)
[africaindex](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/africaindex/)
[August 28, 2023August 28, 2023](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2023/08/28/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[March 2, 2022February 26, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/03/02/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[January 4, 2022January 4, 2022](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2022/01/04/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[December 23, 2021December 23, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/12/23/)
[Caelus Murphy](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/veemanguilimotan/)
[December 22, 2021December 23, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/12/22/)
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[December 15, 2021December 15, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/12/15/)
Search for:
Close
## Discover more from
Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.
Type your email…
Subscribe
[Continue reading](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mest-express-acceleration-program-for-ghanaian-start-up-entrepreneurs/#)
%d
Original text
Rate this translation
Your feedback will be used to help improve Google Translate
Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Willing to study in Ghana
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the MEST Express Acceleration Program for Ghanaian Start-up Entrepreneurs?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the the stated level level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to Ghana for the duration of the programme.
Is the MEST Express Acceleration Program for Ghanaian Start-up Entrepreneurs fully funded?+
Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.