One of the major oil distributors in the country, Total Philippines Corporation, has launched a competition that aims to discover groundbreaking local initiatives and social enterprises.
The 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge supports and rewards young local entrepreneurs aged thirty-five or under, who wishes to start a company in any business sector with a project or has an existing business less than two years old. The Challenge is also open to those Filipinos who are currently living abroad, but has a business idea that would benefit their homeland.
A local jury comprised of experts from Total, specialists from incubators and accelerators, business leaders and local community stakeholders will select three winners in each participating country.
Applications are assessed using three key criteria namely: Social/community impact or the ability to create sustainable value and contribute to the development of local communities, innovative nature or the extent to which you provide new technological or other incremental solutions that help resolve your country’s difficulties, and feasibility/growth potential which gives positive impact to more people.
“Total recognizes the creativity and passion of the Filipino youth. We are optimistic that the first run of Startupper of the Year by Total can spark positive change in the country through the efforts of the participants,” said Laurent Stouffe, managing director of Total Philippines Corporation.
The top 15 finalists will have a chance to pitch their proposals and business plans to the local jury of the contest. Only three from the top 15 finalists will be announced as winners. Each will receive financial support of at most Php 750,000, plus professional coaching and extensive publicity to advertise their project.
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 six overall grand winners among the first-prize awardees in each participating 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.
Interested Applicants can submit their applications until November 13, 2018 at the Startupper of the Year by Total website.
For more information, visit Total Philippines Corporation’s official Facebook page.