The fifth batch of trainees from the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) on Sunday graduated from the program following a rigorous 2-year training in software development and entrepreneurship with the goal of becoming globally successful software entrepreneurs. MEST is achieving this by training and mentoring high potential Ghanaian graduates who are passionate about starting their own software companies. Beginning in August 2011, the trainees have received training in areas covering technology, business, entrepreneurship, finance and communications. This knowledge is transferred from faculty and teaching fellows with in depth international experience, in addition MBA consultants from Oxford University and Guest Lecturers all contribute to preparing the MEST graduates for the global markets. The Class of 2013 pitched their business ideas to the MEST Incubator investment board for funding and a place in the MEST incubator. Since 2008, one hundred and thirty-nine [139] entrepreneurs have graduated from MEST and 13 companies have been started, currently the MEST incubator hosts 10 of these. Upon funding the companies received seed investment, an office and access to advisors and mentors globally. Jorn Lyseggen, Founder and CEO of Meltwater Group and MEST, commented, “Talent is equally distributed, opportunities are not. We hope to create role models that in turn inspire the upcoming generation to become successful software entrepreneurs.” Over the past year the MEST companies have gained global recognition and exposure. Saya were placed as one of seven finalists at TechCrunch Disrupt Battlefield in San Francisco in September 2012, mPawa pitched at DEMO Africa in October 2012 and are now one of five Lions@frica companies to pitch at DEMO in San Francisco in October this year. Additionally ClaimSync just completed the 3-month Health XL accelerator in Dublin and Dropifi are currently part of the 500 Startups accelerator program in Silicon Valley.