LAUNCH OF THE 3RD EDITION OF STARTUPPER OF THE YEAR CHALLENGE BY TOTALENERGIES

Total Petroleum Ghana PLC has officially launched the 3rd edition of Startupper of the Year Challenge, to encourage entrepreneurship and career development among young people.

The project is open to Ghanaian entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 with business ideas and start-up projects that are innovative, have societal and community impact, feasible and have development potential.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Total Petroleum Ghana PLC, Mr. Olufemie Babajide, explained that the initiative is aimed at providing mentorship and financial support to young entrepreneurs with the most innovative ideas to actualize their projects.

He said three winners will be selected in May 2022, to receive financial support of GH¢ 210,000, extensive publicity and one-year coaching from industry experts. 

Additionally, the ultimate winners will have the opportunity to compete at the regional level, going against their peers from other countries.

“This 3rd edition is to further establish TotalEnergies’ commitment to local entrepreneurship, encourage start-ups to integrate the dimensions of sustainable development and also promote female entrepreneurs. 

Mr. Babajide said Total Petroleum Ghana PLC will continue to champion projects that are linked directly and indirectly to the socio-economic enhancement of the livelihoods of our people and boost the growth of the country.

 Delivering a speech at the event, French Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Anne-Sophie Avé outlined the significance in the French partnership with 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.

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

He further indicated that the launch will be followed by a pitching process 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.

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

The winner of the 2nd edition, Eunice Mawuena Kloe shared her experience on the benefits of the Startupper challenge, emphasising that her business fortunes have doubled since winning the competition.

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

A representative of Energy Minister, Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh 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''.

Present at the launch were the French Ambassador to Ghana Madam Anne Sophie Ave, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC) Mr Kwaku Agyeman Duah, the Brand Ambassador for Total Ghana and Startupper, Stephen Appiah, Representative from the Ministries, GIPC, amongst other dignitaries.