Society

TotalEnergies launches 2024 Startupper of the Year Challenge.

Multinational integrated energy and petroleum company, TotalEnergies, has launched the 2024 edition of the Startupper of the Year Challenge.
The challenge, which is in its fourth year, seeks to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country’s economy through the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation as well as to demonstrate its rootedness in Cameroon and Africa.

According to a release announcing the launch, the company through the challenge, also wants show her support towards local entrepreneurship and encourage young people in taking actions in areas of sustainability.

This fourth edition of the challenge coincides with the 100 years of existence of TotalEnergies. In this light, the company has announced that 100 laureates across the continent of Africa will be reward this year.

“For this edition, specially, we aim to encourage and support young entrepreneurs in Africa with innovative ideas in their respective countries of residence,” the statement from the company read, adding that “we are looking at entrepreneurs whose businesses and projects are making a positive impact on their communities or on the planet”.

Criteria for application
Created in 2015, the Startupper of the Year Challenge, is open to entrepreneurs between the ages 18 and 35 who are residing in their home country.

Interested applicants are required to submit their applications through the online portal https://startupper.totalenergies.com where they will need to complete the form corresponding to their status: one for businesses/organisations and the other for project ideas.

The applications portal opened since April 30, will be closed next June 18. As innovation for this fourth edition, a pitch session has been introduced for shortlisted candidates to present their projects in person in front of a jury.

Cameroon is will produce three winners, with the possibility of a fourth laureate to be selected should one of the three initial winners from Cameroon also win the special pan-African prize.

The categories for this year’s challenge include Best Entrepreneur, Circular Economy Prize and Affordable Clean Energy with 4 candidates across the continent of Africa eligible to win the former.

The winners of the challenge are due to be announced in December with laureates winning cash prizes, mentorship, as well as a media campaign.

This story first published in The Guardian Post issue No3127 of Friday May 31, 2024