Application for Mesirat Entrepreneurship Program Opens

Mesirat, a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation, Gebeya Inc., and its consortium partners, announces the opening of applications for the Mesirat Entrepreneurship Program.

The program will support 100 multi-sided gig and professional marketplaces across Ethiopia, to create opportunities for 1 million highly-skilled workers. As part of this goal, the Mesirat Entrepreneurship Program is offering free resources and support to 100 select business owners looking to build their businesses quickly, at no cost.

The program will assist selected entrepreneurs to:

• Get qualified financing
• Get access to key media placements and paid social media at no cost
• Get access to a customized system for collecting applications/register, customizable vetting, onboarding users, and matching service providers to customers
• Reach market fit
• Reach growth stage
• Fast-track their learning curve
• Get better visibility and reputation in the Ethiopian market

Mesirat will provide entrepreneur support, provide custom-branded marketplace technology, vetting, training, certification, and onboarding of gig workers for businesses. Our support includes business development, access to finance, and market linkages. Additionally, we advocate for the gig economy and gig workers’ policy, strategy, and guidelines development, and work with public sector actors.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Possess a registered license in Ethiopia
• Demonstrate a tested idea with proof of concept
• Operate a scalable business model
• Have an experienced team working full-time on the idea
• Have a business that’s been operational for at least 6 months
• Offer professional gigs via a multi-sided marketplace matching model
• Provide a disruptive service or possess a unique value proposition

Mesirat will extend special preference to those creating gig job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, internally displaced individuals, returnees, and young women.

What is a gig? A time-bound job, task, or service that is performed on demand. Examples of gigs include, but are not limited to: childcare, food delivery, home and office cleaning, graphic design, and home-based healthcare. The individuals who provide these services on-call, outside of a standard employment contract are called “gig workers.” Does your startup support gig work? Mesirat will support you.

Interested applicants: apply here.

Dates to Mark: 

Application Deadline: June 30, 2023

Contact [email protected] for questions & inquiries.