Silicon Valley-based Meltwater appoints MD for incubator in Ghana

Silicon Valley-based Meltwater Group has appointed Neal Hansch as the new Managing Director of the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Incubator in Ghana.

According to Meltwater which provides training, investment and incubation to aspiring high technology entrepreneurs in Ghana, Mr Hansch joins the MEST team with over 15 years experience in venture capital, technology operations and investment banking.

“Neal’s wealth of experience will be invaluable to the MEST programme and we feel very privileged to bring a person of his capacity to MEST,” said Jorn Lyseggen, the founder of MEST on September 17, 2013.

In a press statement, MEST said Hansch was a former General Partner with Rustic Canyon Partners (RCP), an early-stage focused investment fund with $500 million under management.

“Neal’s proven leadership and track record developing US based start-ups will play an important role in MEST’s future success, while deepening the program’s presence in Silicon Valley, it said.

Commenting on his new post, Mr Hansch said “I’m excited to join MEST as its own growth continues to accelerate and its reach extends across Africa and onto the global stage.”

Established in 2008, MEST has trained more than 125 technology entrepreneurs and its associated incubator program has invested in 15 start-ups in Ghana.

MEST companies have raised external capital from Silicon Valley and European institutional investors.

By Ekow Quandzie