Jordan Freeman of Jamaica Bio-Plastics wins Startupper of the Year
JORDAN Freeman, the founder of Jamaica Bio-Plastics, has won the Startupper of the Year challenge staged by petroleum company Total Jamaica.
The challenge, which was launched last October, has rewarded Freeman with cash prize of $1.93 million for the production of degradable plastics. The presentation was made at a ceremony held at Courtyard Marriott hotel in New Kingston recently.
Yekini Wallen-Bryan of PreeLabs Ltd, inventor of a smart plug and switch with an app/website that allows users to control and monitor electrical appliances from their smartphone or computer, was named the second prize winner of $1.1 million; while George Henry of Appfinity Technologies placed third for his School Behaviour App.
Henry walked away with $775,000.
In addition to the cash prize, the three winners, who were selected from a group of 14 finalists, will receive entrepreneurial mentorship by Jamaica Business Development and a communications campaign to publicise their project.
Total launched the Startupper of the Year challenge in Jamaica after supporting more than 30 African countries during 2015. In re-launching the programme, the energy producer and provider made the decision to give financial assistance to young entrepreneurs in almost 60 countries worldwide.
The challenge became open to Jamaican entrepreneurs — no older than 35 years old — who have been operating a business in any sector for less than two years. For the first time, Total also awarded a top female entrepreneur in each country.
Brittany Singh Williams — the owner of SPARK Education Ltd which creates meaningful learning experiences for parents and children based on depth of inquiry, collaboration and real-world experience — was named Jamaica’s Top Female Entrepreneur.
Total also awarded the Start-up for Better Energy prize to Wallen-Bryan.
According to Total, the projects were assessed based on their innovative nature, social and community impact, feasibility, and development potential.
The 2018-2019 Startupper of the Year by Total Challenge, held simultaneously in 55 countries — 37 of which are in Africa, 11 in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, four in the Americas, and three in Europe — reaffirms Total’s commitment to social and economic development in host countries worldwide. By helping innovative young entrepreneurs to realise their projects, the challenge strengthens the local social fabric.
