Total Nigeria Plc and Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria launched the
Challenge "Startupper of the year by Total."

Initiated simultaneously by the Total Group in 34 countries in Africa, the competition aims to identify, reward and provide support to the best business creation and business development projects under two years of existence in Nigeria. The winning projects will be granted the “Startupper of the year 2016 by Total” label, as well as financial assistance and a coaching from Total Nigeria Plc and Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria.

This call for free submission of projects is open to all Nigerian citizens aged thirty-five years and below. The Registration portal will be open from November 1, 2015 (8:00 GMT), and can be accessed directly online at: http://startupper.total.com/

Candidates will have until January 31, 2016 (23:00 GMT) to submit their applications.

A jury of professionals will pre- select up to ten of the best submitted projects in Nigeria based on specific criteria which include innovation, originality, audacity and potential to impact on socio-economic development of the Nigerian society and its people. The list of finalists will be published on the competition
website by February 28, 2016. After candidates’ defence which will take place by March 15, 2016, the jury will choose the best projects (up to three) and the results will be announced during the awards ceremony.

The complete contest rules are available online on the dedicated website (http://startupper.total.com/).

The Challenge “Startupper of the year by Total” is part of Total’s global initiative of supporting the socioeconomic development of all the countries where it operates worldwide. 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. This approach targets the emergence of new initiatives, while respecting the Total Group values.