Shell LiveWire, the flagship accelerator program of oil & gas major Shell, is now accepting applicants from the Philippines for this year’s cohort of innovative companies, according to an announcement.
This year’s program, its fifth year in the country, will be carried out in partnership with Team IGNITE and will run from July through October. The applications are open until June 28.
This year, Shell LiveWIRE looks to support Philippine startups and entrepreneurs focused on the energy sector, with a focus on “Purposeful Progress Through Energy That Empowers”.
Particularly, the program seeks players involved in access to energy, clean energy, off-grid solutions, energy distribution, last-mile distribution, energy efficiency, and low-carbon transport solutions.
On its website, Shell Philippines said tech startups joining the program will get the chance to win up to P1 million equity-free cash if they emerge champion after the four-month program.
Second and third placers will receive P500,000 equity-free cash to help grow their startups.
Last year, Farmvocacy, a social climate fintech startup based in Mindoro, was hailed as the grand winner. Lithos Manufacturing OPC, an industrial and feed-grade mineral producer, and Lycan Motorcycle, a motorcycle tech startup, emerged as runners-up.
“Through the Acceleration Program, you can grow your entrepreneurship skills and create a more positive impact on your communities and the environment,” Shell said.
The program is open to startups with a working minimum viable product and initial market traction.
The startup should also be majority-owned by Filipino individuals or entities, with at least one full-time Filipino founder, and must have not received more than $100,000 in external funding.
Startups must also have their business registered or be able to register within three months upon application and have the capability to issue an official receipt, according to the program guidelines.
“With a strong emphasis on innovation, our mission is to actively engage and collaborate with forward-thinking individuals or groups pioneering cutting-edge energy solutions,” Shell said.
Shell LiveWIRE is the flagship enterprise development program of Shell. It started 42 years ago to address the growing levels of youth underemployment through entrepreneurship.