Hisa App makes it to MEST Africa challenge finals

Kenya’s Hisa App is among the finalist for 2022 MEST Africa Challenge pitch competition. The startup is set to compete for the top rank with Desert Green Africa (South Africa), Kweli (Senegal), Sproutly (Nigeria), and Swoove (Ghana).

2022 MEST Africa Challenge is a pan-African startup competition for startups who are ready to scale and expand into new markets. Launched with the aim of providing a stage for technology startups to raise funding, build industry networks and gain global visibility, the competition has grown to become a key establishment in Africa’s startup technology industry giving an unprecedented global platform to hundreds of entrepreneurs from all over Africa.

2022 MEST Africa Challenge

The 12-month programme that provides critical skills training in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s tech talent. The programme provides seed funding for the best ideas coming out of the program and continues to support the growth and development of its portfolio companies. The competition opened applications in July, for pre-seed and seed-stage technology start-ups to bid for the ultimate prize of $50 000 (Sh6.07 million). The startups had undergone regional pitches and founder interviews and have been selected for the final pitch.

Finalists from each country will attend the MEST Africa Demo Day in Accra, Ghana on December 1st, 2022 where they will once again compete on a global stage for up to US$ 50,000 in equity investment and the opportunity to join the MEST Portfolio and global community.

“In the final analysis we were able to zero in on the cream of the crop to select the top five companies from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa in alignment with this year’s selection criteria. Our team is eager to work closely with each of the five finalists in preparation for the final competition day in December,” said MEST Africa director of portfolio Melissa Nsiah.