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The 3rd edition of Startupper of the Year challenge by TotalEnergies has been duly launched.

This year's launch of the challenge which is aimed at supporting startups was held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Friday, October 29, 2021.

TotalEnergies' Startupper of the Year is designed to financially assist young entrepreneurs who enter the competition to pitch their business projects and ideas.

The winner will receive a prize worth enhancing the progress of his/her business as well as coaching to help publicize the person's projects with aim of attracting investors.

Startupper of the year by TotalEnergies is an initiative by TotalEnergies Group ensuring that the candidate who emerges a victor is provided with the needed resources, exposure, training and connected to the right investors.

Delivering a speech at the event, French Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Anne-Sophie Avé outlined the significance of Startupper stressing French companies and investors are more than willing at all times to invest in Ghanaian business, establish a mutually good relationship with Ghanaian customers and investors to create an enabling and thriving business environment.

"Being successful, being meaningless unless everyone is is part of the philosophy of the Startupper," she stressed.

The winner of the 2nd edition, Eunice Mawuena Kloe also gave a testimony about the benefits of the Startupper challenge touting her business fortunes have doubled since winning the competition.

She expressed her profound gratitude to Total Petroleum Ghana PLC for such great initiative.

Mr. Ali Nuhu Abeka, a representative of the Energy Minister also advised this year's participants on the importance of networking emphasizing ''although it's a challenge programme, see it as an opportunity to learn from your competitors. Increase your network of friends and expand innovative capabilities''.

"Who knows? The next Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg or Jack Ma may not only be Ghanaian but come from tonight's challenge," he added.

The 3rd edition promises to be bigger than previous editions, therefore young entrepreneurs and startups are encouraged to enlist in the competition.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Total Petroleum Ghana PLC, Mr. Olufemie Babajide in his address indicated that this year’s Startupper of the Year by TotalEnergies Challenge promises better and more successful activities than the two previous editions.

“This year, thirty-two (32) countries in Africa are participating in the Challenge including our dear Ghana. I have no doubt, we will see fantastic businesses ideas coming out from Ghana. As per the 3rd edition, the Top Female Entrepreneur will be selected in addition to the two ultimate winners. The objective is to give women entrepreneurs an extra recognition in line with numerous initiatives TotalEnergies has in place specially for women”.

Present at the launch were the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EIB Network that owns GhOne TV, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi, popularly known as Bola Ray, Brand Ambassador for Startupper and former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah among other dignitaries.

Applications

In explaining the processes for the Challenge, the Project Manager of the Startupper of the Year by TotalEnergies, Mr Bright Dokosi indicated that applications open on Thursday 4th November, 2021 at startupper.totalenergies.com. Candidates will have until December 23, 2021 to submit their applications.

Prizes

He went on to add that this will be followed by a pitch in March 2022 where a diverse local jury composed of experts, people from the world of startups, business leaders and local actors of Sustainable Development will select three winners: Best business creation project; Best startup under 3 years old and Best female entrepreneur. Thereafter, the 3 winners will be announced in a celebration in May 2022.

All 3 winners will be receiving financial support, totalling GHs 210,000, personalized coaching and Visibility (media). Among all national winners, 3 Grand Winners will be awarded across Africa.

Qualification

To apply, each candidate must be between 18 and 35 years; be a Ghanaian Citizen and have a business creation project or a startup less than 3 years old.

New in this edition:

The award for "Best female entrepreneur"

• For this edition, after the success of the women's label in the previous edition, we have set a prize for the best female entrepreneur. We hope to encourage more women entrepreneurs to participate and reach more than 50% of the participants. This award aims to encourage women to participate and promote the role they play in their community. The award will be given after the final pitches.
“I am convinced that diversity is a great lever for innovation and this Challenge helps promote diversity.” (Maria-Claudia Alvarez)

Including of the notion of Sustainable Development in our selection criteria
• The second aspect is the integration of the notion of Sustainable Development in our selection criteria. This will allow us to discover and highlight innovative solutions that have a positive impact on local communities and the planet. This second aspect is in line with TotalEnergies' ambition to place Sustainable Development in all its dimensions at the heart of our projects in order to contribute to the well-being of people and the planet.