Paul Arithi 
Joe Mucheru (centre) the CS, Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs and Eric Fanchini (left) the TotalEnergies Managing Director present a dummy cheque of Sh.1,650,000 to Nyaruai Muriithi (centre) for winning the Best Female Entreprenuer Category in the TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge –third edition.[Photo/Bob Dewar PR. Agency]
Following the selection of the Startupper of the Year Challenge winners by a local jury comprising of industry and entrepreneurial support experts, the winners of this 2022 edition were awarded during an official award ceremony at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi, with the presence of Mr. Joseph MUCHERU E.G.H., Cabinet Secretary ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs (chief guest) and Mr. Andrew KAMAU,C.B.S.,Principal Secretary, State Department of Petroleum & Mining.
The three winners of the Startupper of the Year Challenge in Kenya are:
Paul MUHIA for the Award of the Best Startup under 3 years old with ZERO-EMISSION JUA EBIKES: an affordable electric-powered bicycle offering zero-emission transport solutions for commuters and
delivery riders, with a speed of up to 60 km/h and a distance of up to 100 km
Joseph NGUTHIRU for the Award of the Best Business Creation projects with HYAPAK: makes hyacinth-based biodegradable products that are an alternative replacement to single use plastic products like plates, straws, and tumblers used in airlines, fast-food outlets and events.
Nyaruai MURIITHI for the Award of the Best Female Entrepreneur with NYUNGU AFRIKA: an eco-friendly sanitary towel made from the underutilized agricultural waste of pineapple leaves and corn husks The project aims to solve period poverty, reduce Co2 gases &recycling.
These young entrepreneurs will receive financial support of Kshs 1.65 Million. They will also each benefit from personalised coaching of the value of Kshs 300,000 for the development of their project as well as from increased media visibility to make them known.
In Kenya, 1,012 valid applications were submitted and 15 finalists pitched their projects before
the local jury.
Each winner of this edition will have their project presented to a Grand Jury in charge of choosing, in mid-May 2022, three ‘Grand Winners’of the African continent amongst the 32 participating countries.
The 3rd edition of the Startupper of the Year Challenge by TotalEnergies in figures:
32 participating countries
35,000 registrations on the platform
13,885 complete applications on the platform
491 finalists pitched their project to a local jury
