Business & Money | Friday 6 December, 2019 10:43 am |

Young Saudi Entrepreneur Soliman Al-Shoqabi, has won one of the 2019 Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators Awards; a global competition which highlights and rewards businesses that demonstrate excellence in innovation as well as giving entrepreneurs a chance to shine on a global platform. Al-Shoqabi started TeckLee business seven years ago to produce plastic-based products using an affordable, biodegradable alternative to plastic.

 

 

This year, Shell LiveWIRE has partnered with Shell Global Commercial which supplies lubricants, aviation fuels, bitumen, sulphur and related services to one million business customers in 150 markets. Shell aims to reward entrepreneurs that encourage a circular economic model, instead of a linear model which means taking, using, and disposing of products from beginning to end –eliminating any waste out of the system.

 

“It’s been incredibly inspiring to see such passionate entrepreneurs across the world helping to tackle and eliminate waste,” said Huibert Vigeveno, Executive Vice President of Shell Global Commercial. “Transitioning to a circular economy requires us to think creatively and do things differently.” 

 

Andrew Crowe, Country Chairman of Shell in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said, “We’re thrilled to see a Saudi national, Soliman Al-Shoqabi take home one of the Top Ten Innovators prizes. This is a great opportunity not only to highlight Soliman’s business but it also showcases the talent and innovation we see every day across Saudi Arabia”, adding that,  “Working with innovators like these, will allow economy, communities and society to move faster towards a truly sustainable future in alignment with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision”.

 

The winner of each category will receive a top prize of $20,000 and the two runners-up from each category will receive a prize of $10,000. In addition, the judges chose an Outstanding Achievement Award winner who will receive $10,000. The award package for all ten also includes mentoring support by a Shell expert, an opportunity to benefit from market linkages and a possibility to be considered as a vendor to Shell or Shell’s customers. 

 

The winners faced stiff competition with Shell receiving 98 applications from 19 countries around the world. Twenty-one finalists then had to compete in a public vote, which drew in more than18 thousands votes from 144 countries.