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MEST Tech Incubator In Ghana Hires Silicon Valley Exec

MEST Tech Incubator In Ghana Hires Silicon Valley Exec

MEST, which provides training, investment and incubation to aspiring high-technology entrepreneurs in Ghana, has hired a Silicon Valley veteran.

Neal Hansch comes on board as the Managing Director of the MEST Incubator. Prior to this appointment, he had more than fifteen years experience in venture capital, technology operations and investment banking, according to a press release.  Most recently, he was a General Partner with Rustic Canyon Partners, which is an early-stage focused investment fund. Prior to RCP, Hansch was a Corporate Development executive at Macromedia, a venture capitalist with Technology Crossover Ventures, and an investment banker at  Robertson Stephens & Co.

Hansch will play an important role in deepening the program’s presence in Silicon Valley.

“Since its launch, MEST’s training and investment program has been at the forefront of the emerging high tech ecosystem in Ghana, which has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. I’m excited to join MEST as its own growth continues to accelerate and its reach extends across Africa and onto the global stage,” says Hansch.

Launched in 2008, MEST has trained more than 125 technology entrepreneurs and its associated incubator program has invested in 15 start-ups in Ghana and is a not for profit program fully funded by Meltwater. 

“Talent is evenly distributed across the globe, opportunities are not. We hope to create role models that will in turn inspire the upcoming generations of Africa to become successful software entrepreneurs,” says MEST founder Jorn Lyseggen. “Neal’s wealth of experience will be invaluable to the MEST program and we feel very privileged to bring a person of his capacity to MEST.”