Three Nigerian startups have won the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024 edition, securing a total of N24 million to expand their impactful solutions.
The Startupper of the Year by TotalEnergies Nigeria – 2024 edition is a competition organised by TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc. This initiative aims to support and encourage young African entrepreneurs to innovate and bring their projects to reality in their country of application.
According to Dr. Matthieu Bouyer, Country Chair of TotalEnergies Nigeria, the Startupper Challenge’s fourth edition is dedicated to nurturing the local economy and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem where the youth receive visible mentorship.
As part of the competition, three startups won Nigeria’s slot out of the 100 startups to be selected across 32 African countries participating in the challenge this year. The winners were carefully chosen by a jury of experts and successful entrepreneurs. Each winner received N8 million to further develop their projects.
The winners undergo a three-month training program on how to use N8 million to scale their businesses. The Startupper Challenge targets startups less than three years old or those with pioneering ideas that positively impact their communities or the planet.
This year the competition selected startups focusing on innovation, feasibility, and potential for development in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Mrs. Adesua Adewale, General Manager of TotalEnergies Country Services, noted the growing enthusiasm among young African entrepreneurs, as evidenced by the increasing number of applications with each edition of the challenge. From 11,000 complete applications in the first edition to 14,000 in the fourth, with about 1,500 coming from Nigeria, the trend reflects the youth’s eagerness to initiate and innovate responsibly.
The winning startups are:
Waste2light, led by Emmanuel Abah, produces electricity from renewable sources by converting plastic waste into components for 3D-printed wind and hydro systems. Abah was recognized as the top entrepreneur in the “Power Up” category.
Coconto, founded by Jacob Abiodun, is a recycling venture that aims to revolutionize the coconut value chain for a more sustainable future. Abiodun won the “Cycle Up” category for the best circular economy project.
Farmci, by Yakubu Temtope , offers Interkool, a portable solar-powered solution for preserving and transporting agricultural produce. Temtope was honored as the best entrepreneur in the “Innov Up” category.
