100 African “Startuppers” to be recognized and rewarded in fourth “Startupper of the Year by Totalenergies” Challenge for TotalEnergies’ 100th anniversary
Cairo, May 12th, 2024 – Following the success of the first three editions, TotalEnergies is now holding another Startupper of the Year Challenge, in 32 African countries. For this special edition, organized against the backdrop of the Company’s centennial year, 100 entrepreneurs from across the continent will be recognized and rewarded via three prize categories.
During the 2021/2022 Startupper of the Year Challenge in Egypt, TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt recognized three young entrepreneurs: Ghada Hassan (Blutruve), Sherif Zikry (Receety) and Alshaimaa Omar (EGAAD).
This new edition kicking off today reaffirms TotalEnergies’ commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and supporting the socio-economic development of African countries in which the Company is present. The Challenge strengthens the social fabric in local communities by helping the continent’s most innovative entrepreneurs carry out their projects. In all, 365 winners – selected from among some 40,000 applications received – have been rewarded and supported worldwide since 2015.
Commenting on the new edition’s kick-off, Mr. Thomas Strauss, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt said: “It feels ecstatic witnessing the launch of another successful edition of the challenge, which has proved instrumental in supporting the Egyptian entrepreneurial ecosystem in the past years. We have seen impressive potential in many Egyptian startups with creative solutions that bolster community development. This year’s challenge will come with even bigger opportunities for these aspiring ideas to help them flourish exponentially.”
For this 2024/2025 edition of the Challenge, TotalEnergies will support and reward young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 living in Egypt who have a business creation project or a startup under three years old, in any business sector. A local jury comprised of experts, business leaders, startup ecosystem participants, local sustainability stakeholders and representatives from TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt will select three winners:
- Innov’Up winner, for the best entrepreneur.
- Cycle’Up winner, for the best project relating to the circular economy.
- Power’Up winner, for the best project relating to sustainable, affordable energy.
Four additional projects in the Power’Up category will be selected by an international jury.
All project entries will be assessed against four criteria:
- Relevance to sustainable development challenges
- Innovation
- Feasibility and development potential
Respect for gender equality and inclusion of women in the project Each winner will become a “Startupper of the Year by TotalEnergies” and will benefit from a monetary award of 400,000 EGP, personalized support and a communication campaign to enhance their project’s visibility. Winners will also have the opportunity to promote their project during a celebratory event, the details of which will be released at a later date.
Registration opened on 30th of April 2024 directly online at http://startupper.totalenergies.com. Applicants will then have until 18th of June 2024 to complete their applications. Startupper of the Year by TotalEnergies Challenge – Recap of Previous Editions
1st edition in 2016
- 34 participating countries across Africa.
- 24,000 applicants registered and 11,000 completed applications received.
- 102 winners, of which 52 in the “Ideas” category and 50 in the “Business Created” category.
- Four Pan-African Grand Prize winners invited to Paris for a week to receive personalized support for their project.
2nd edition in 2019
- 55 participating countries worldwide.
- 50,000 applicants registered and 15,400 completed applications received, of which 65% from African countries.
- 165 winners.
- Six Grand Prize winners selected, including three from Africa.
- Six Grand Prize winners invited to Paris mid-March 2019 for a week of personalized support.
- Selection in each participating country of a Top Female Entrepreneur to promote and support women entrepreneurs, with the 55 winners invited to Paris for a week in April 2019.
3rd edition in 2022
- 33 participating countries across Africa.
- 34,000 applicants registered and 13,800 completed applications received.
- 98 winners, including:
- 32 winners in the “Best business creation project” category
- 33 winners in the “Best startup under 3 years old” category
- 32 winners in the “Best female entrepreneur” category
- And 1 applicant who won 2 prizes!
- 4 Grand Prize winners invited to Paris for a week in June 2022.
