Following the success of the first Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge, held in 2015 in more than 30 African countries, Total is bringing it back this year in nearly 40 countries across the continent.
During the first Challenge in Ethiopia, TOTAL Ethiopia S.C. recognized three young business entrepreneurs: Dr. Henook Wendirad, MAK Addis Tutors; MAK Addis Tutors is an academic initiative that aims to connect students that need an extra support in their education to improve their performance with registered tutors via a one-to- one private tuition for a very affordable price.
Eng. Binyam Tesfaye leads Winsol Solar Charging Products a startup which provides solar chargers for  residents of under-developed countries.
Kaldawit Esmelealem, manages Kale General Electronics; Machinery Manufacturing Plc which makes energy efficient technology and poultry equipment. As during the first event, the 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge will support and reward young local entrepreneurs in any business sector with a project or business less than two years old. In each participating African country a local jury comprised of experts from Total, specialists from incubators and accelerators, business leaders and local community stakeholders will select three winners.
The projects will be assessed based on their: innovative nature, social and community impact, feasibility and development potential.
Each winner will be awarded the “Startupper of the Year by Total” label and receive financial support of €12,500 (1 st place), €7,500 (2 nd place), and €5,000 (3 rd place) – plus professional coaching and extensive publicity to advertise their project.
New this year: To support women entrepreneurs, the jury will also designate a Top Female Entrepreneur in each country. This special award, which is in addition to the other awards, is Total’s way of encouraging more women to take part in the Challenge.
A grand jury will meet subsequently to select three Grand Winners for the entire continent, from among the first-prize winners in each country.
More than just a business challenge, the 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge also reaffirms Total’s commitment to capacity building in the countries where it operates, worldwide. By helping innovative young entrepreneurs to realize their projects, the Challenge strengthens the local social fabric.