Beirut, March 1, 2019
Energizing Your Ideas!
After the jury of local experts selected the winners of the 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge in Lebanon, they were presented with their awards at an official ceremony held on March 1, 2019 at Liza Beirut restaurant.
The three winners of the Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge in Lebanon are:
| 1. Ghassan Zughaib, transport category, YallaBus, it is a smartphone application that aims at improving the public transportation experience in Lebanon – specifically buses. Using GPS technology, the app enables users to reliably commute with buses by providing them with real-time directions; while improving the sector and helping it grow. | |
| 2. Georges Bitar, environment category, Live Love Recycle, it is a new social and environmental project that allows users in Beirut to recycle for free. This initiative helps counter the garbage crisis in Lebanon. Live Love Recycle helps unemployed individuals re-integrate the working force by providing them with jobs as recyclables collectors. | |
| 3. Charbel Trad, social category, Bridge. Outsource. Transform, B.O.T bridges skilled youth from marginalized communities with organizations in need of quality assured digital services in Data Entry, E-commerce Listing, Call Center Support and AI Training Data. Quality assurance is done through in-house technical experts. |
These young entrepreneurs will receive financial support of up to €12.500 for the first prize to develop their project. They will also receive personalized support and coaching from Smart ESA and a communications campaign to publicize their project.
The winner of the Top Female Entrepreneur award, a new addition to the 2018-2019 Challenge to support women in business, is:
| Marielle Khayat, culture category, Koullouna, it is a box, delivered monthly to the client’s doorstep, targeted mainly towards Lebanese expats and authentic Lebanese products lovers worldwide, containing 6-7 products made in Lebanon along with the stories behind them, and 10% of the box’s price is dedicated and donated to the initiative of the month. |
The 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge, held simultaneously in 55 countries[1] — 37 of which are in Africa, 11 in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, 4 in the Americas, and 3 in Europe — reaffirms Total’s commitment to social and economic development in host countries worldwide. By helping innovative young entrepreneurs to realize their projects, the Challenge strengthens the local social fabric.
The second Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge received nearly 50,000 entries, of which more than 15,000 were fully completed. In all, 825 finalists presented their projects to a jury of experts, with 165 winning prizes.
The first prize winner in each country will see their project presented to the international grand juries that will pick the six Grand Winners from all 55 countries.
About Total Liban
Consolidated affiliate of a leading international oil and gas company, Total Liban is present today with a network of more than 190 service stations and a varied portfolio of professional clients. Total Liban controls all its supply and distribution chain under its quality, safety and environment strategy and is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. Having clients’ satisfaction at the core of its business, Total Liban seeks tirelessly since 1951 to apply the know-how and expertise acquired across the five continents by the Group. www.total-liban.com
About Total
Total is a major energy player, which produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.