MEST Africa, one of the pioneer incubation centers in Africa has seen a change of guard. Out goes Aaron Fu and in comes Ashwin Ravichandran.
The incubation house has announced the appointment of Ashwin Ravichandran as its new Managing Director, as the Pan-African entrepreneurial training program, seed fund and incubator continues to grow and strengthen its portfolio of startups and expand its reach and impact across the continent.
Aaron Fu who has been influential in the management of the institution for two years announced through his social media accounts that he was seeking new challenges and has joined South African based Africa Leadership Academy as a venture partner.
Ashwin joined MEST in 2015 as a Technology Teaching Fellow and has since served as the Incubator Manager for MEST Accra, and currently is Director of Portfolio Support and Country Director of Ghana. With a background in Computer Science and Engineering and previous experience working in the innovation team at Honeywell and building startups in India, Ashwin brings extensive technical knowledge to his executive management experience at MEST.
In his role as Director of Portfolio Support, Ashwin has overseen the growth and development of highly successful MEST portfolio companies such as Complete Farmer, Asoriba, Leti Arts and Kudobuzz, working to maximize their growth and success in terms of business development, product management and raising further rounds of funding.
“We’re thrilled to name Ashwin as Managing Director,” said MEST Founder & Chairman, Jorn Lyseggen. “Over the years, he has been an incredible asset to our management team and an invaluable mentor to founders and Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs). Ashwin has a passionate, product-centric approach to entrepreneurship and, combined with a deep belief and dedication to the African continent, he is the right person to take MEST to the next level.”
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to be stepping into this new role,” Ashwin said. Since I joined MEST in 2015, I’ve always been inspired by the potential of the African entrepreneurship space. Being part of the innovation that has come out of MEST over the years, I’ve seen first-hand how technology is changing the future of the continent. I’m excited to lead our talented team as we continue to expand and take on new challenges.”
Ashwin takes the reins from MEST Managing Director Aaron Fu, whose last day at MEST was June 30th. “Aaron has in his two years with MEST been a valued member of the MEST leadership team. We thank him for all his contributions and wish him all the best in his next endeavor,” said Lyseggen.
