Startupper start you up

Total Namibia launched its nationwide “Startupper of the Year by Total” challenge last week in Windhoek. Initiated by the Total Group in 34 African countries simultaneously, this contest is looking for new or budding entrepreneurs to submit their projects in enterprise creation and development.
The winning projects will be granted the Startupper of the Year 2016 by Total title, enroll in professionial business coaching and stand a chance to win a share of N$500,000 in prize money.
Total Namibia Managing Director, Chris Hoffmann said the call for projects is free and open to any local person up to the age of 35. The formal application process started this week and will run until 31 January 2016. The procedure to enter and a description of the the required documentation can be found on a dedicated website, http://startupper.total.com.
A jury of professionals will preselect up to ten of the best projects locally based on how innovative, original, and daring the project is. The jury will also consider the projects’ development potential and capacity to improve the living conditions of the population.
The finalists list will be published on the website of the contest, following the final selection phase, which will end by 15 March 2016. The promoters of each submitted project will be invited to appear before the panel to explain and defend their projects. From all the submissions, the three best projects will be chosen and announced.
Total said in a statement the Startupper of the Year by Total challenge is part of the downstream company’s global initiative of supporting the socio-economic development of all the countries where it operates. “It is a very concrete action launched to locally contribute to the reinforcement of the industrial fabric and to employment on the African continent, by supporting the most daring and innovative entrepreneurs in realizing their project.”
Total Namibia has 32 service stations all across the country and three storage depots which are in Windhoek, Otavi and Walvis Bay. According to Total, the business environment is booming. The company supplies private vehicle owners, small business enterprises, government vehicles, as well as the agricultural and mining sectors.
Total said it is in the process of rolling out the new dynamic T’Air service stations and now also caters for new diesel vehicles, having introduced Evolution 50ppm diesel.