Overview

Co-created in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, Gebeya Inc., and its Consortium Partners, Mesirat is a program to create opportunities for 1 million highly skilled workers through supporting and nurturing 100 multi-sided gig and professional marketplaces (GPMs) across Ethiopia. Mesirat means “to work” in Amharic. The Mesirat Entrepreneurship Program offers resources and support to startup owners. We are looking for startups in the gig-matching industry that wish to grow their businesses quickly. Support for selected Entrepreneurs includes: • Access to qualified financing • Access to key media placements and paid social media at no cost • Access to a customized system for collecting applications/register, customizable vetting, onboarding users, and matching service providers to customers • Reaching market fit • Reaching growth stage • Getting better visibility and reputation in the Ethiopian market Who is eligible? • Registered license in Ethiopia • Tested idea with proof of concept • Scalable business model • Experienced team that is working on their idea full time • Business that has been working for at least 6 months • Professional gigs with multi-sided marketplace matching model • Disruptive or with unique value proposition Special preference to those matching 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. This includes, but is 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 “gig workers.” Does your startup support gig work? APPLY NOW. Consortium Partners: • ACE Advisors • American College of Technology • Center for Accelerated Women's Economic Empowerment • Laurendeau & Associates • Shega Media • The Urban Center #mesirat