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TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge | MsingiLab

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CompetitionCorporateClosed100 spots availableExpired

TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge

Varies by country — approximately $10,000-$30,000 equivalent per national winner plus coaching and media visibility

ExpiredWebsiteEst. 2015

PrizeMentorshipAll SectorsCircular EconomyClean EnergySustainable EnergyIdeaPre-SeedSeed

Moderate Climate Lens

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One of Africa's widest-reaching startup competitions, operating in 32 African countries simultaneously. Young entrepreneurs (18-35) compete across three categories: Innov'Up (best entrepreneur), Cycle'Up (circular economy), and Power'Up (sustainable energy). National winners receive financial support, coaching, and media visibility. Edition 4 celebrated TotalEnergies' 100th anniversary.

What You Get

Financial Support

Cash prize varying by country (e.g. Ksh 1.65M in Kenya, GHC 90,000 in Ghana, EGP 400,000 in Egypt)

Personalized Coaching

One year of business coaching from experts tailored to the maturity of the startup/idea

Media Visibility

Dedicated local communication campaign highlighting winners and their ventures

100 Startuppers Event

Top 100 winners across all countries attend a major entrepreneurial event to connect with key African ecosystem players

TotalEnergies Label

Impactful and rewarding label from one of Africa's most recognized corporate brands

How to Apply

Register on startupper.totalenergies.com and submit your application for your country of residence. Applications are reviewed by national juries. National winners are announced per country. Top 100 startuppers from across all countries are invited to a major entrepreneurial event. Apply in the country where you reside.

Geographic Focus

Pan-Africa

Applications Open

May 22, 2024

Decision Timeline

National juries evaluate applications over 3-6 months. Winners announced on a country-by-country basis.

Key Dates

2024-05-22Edition 4 applications open

2024-09-30Edition 4 application deadline (approximate)

2025-10-01Edition 4 national winners announced (staggered by country)

Eligibility

Age 18-35 years old
Resident of the country where you apply
Startup under 3 years old OR mature business idea
Registration in application country no earlier than specified date

Traction Required

Startup under 3 years or strong business idea — early stage is welcome

Team Requirements

Young entrepreneur (18-35) resident in one of the 32+ participating countries

Selection Criteria

Innovation and creativity of the solution
Social and economic impact potential
Feasibility and viability of the business model
Entrepreneurial quality and team capability
Alignment with category theme (Innov'Up, Cycle'Up, or Power'Up)

Focus Areas

Innov'Up

Best entrepreneur — rewarding startups under 3 years or mature business ideas across any sector

Cycle'Up

Best circular economy project — startups or ideas exemplifying circular economy principles

Power'Up

Best sustainable energy project — startups or ideas promoting, creating, producing, or using sustainable and affordable energies

What They Look For

Young African entrepreneurs (18-35) with innovative business ideas or early-stage startups under 3 years. Particularly strong interest in circular economy (Cycle'Up) and sustainable energy (Power'Up) solutions. Open to all sectors in the Innov'Up category. Must be resident in one of 32+ participating countries.

Post-Investment Support

One year of personalized coaching, media visibility campaign, networking at 100 Startuppers Event, TotalEnergies brand association

Red Flags to Watch

Edition 4 (2024/2025) is complete. No Edition 5 announced yet as of April 2026. Monitor the website for next edition. Prize amounts vary significantly by country.

Insider Tip

With 32 African countries, this is one of the widest-reaching competitions on the continent. Competition is at the national level first, making it more accessible than pan-African competitions. Apply in the country where you reside. The Power'Up and Cycle'Up categories are less contested than Innov'Up. Edition 4 received 40,000 registrations but only 14,000 completed applications — completing your application puts you ahead of many.

2015

Active Since

Deploying

Notable Investments

100 winners per edition across 32+ countries; Kenya 2024 winners received Ksh 4.95M total (3 categories); 40,000 registrations in Edition 4