Total Petroleum Ghana Limited has held a project pitching programme for 16 finalists of its second edition of the ‘Startupper of the year’ challenge.

The project pitching is the final stage for participants before the awards day which is slated for March, 1, 2019 under the Startupper Of The Year By Total Challenge which is an initiative of the Total Group to support business creation and development in African countries and the rest of the world.

The projects of the finalists spanned health, sanitation, deforestation, food and nutrition, software, education, and agribusiness, among others.

Ten judges drawn from academia, entrepreneurship, winner of the first edition, and Mr Eric Fanchini, Managing Director of Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, questioned finalists after each made a 10 minute presentation on their products.

The project was opened to entrepreneurs aged 35 and below whose projects were innovative, had societal and community impact, feasible and had development potential.

Mr Bright Dokosi, Human Resource Manager of Total Petroleum Ghana and Project Coordinator for the Startupper, said a total of 1197 applications were received over a period of five weeks, out of which 481 were selected and 100 shortlisted out of which the 16 finalists emerged.

Mr Dokosi added that even though each of the 55 countries were allocated 15 slots, Ghana got 16 finalists after it recorded a tie.

He indicated that an estimated GH₵1.3 million was budgeted for the project from its inception to the final stage.

He announced that all finalists would receive a certificate and publicity while the winner would receive GH₵  90,000 cash prize, GH₵  54,000 and GH₵  36,000 for the second and third winners respectively in addition to mentorship, and coaching.

Mr Fanchini in a remark said the Startupper which was first launched in 2015 was initiated under the company’s corporate social responsibility which aimed at providing assistance to bold innovative young entrepreneurs in Africa.

This is done by helping the boldest and most innovative entrepreneurs carry out their projects by offering them financial support, huge visibility and coaching.

Total Petroleum Ghana has operated in Ghana for over 60 years and had over 4700 Ghanaian shareholders.

The Total Group has been present in Africa for over 80 years

“Throughout out our work, we engage with local partners, customers and other stakeholders. We are therefore attentive to what is happening in the communities where we are located,” he said.

As a responsible company, we seek to offer solutions to the challenges in our communities. We hope to help with access to employment through the Startupper Challenge.

“The first edition in 2015 was a great success and we believe this edition is going to be much better, “according to him.