Young Saudi entrepreneur Soliman Al-Shoqabi has taken home one of the 2019 Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators Awards, after participating in a global competition, which highlights and rewards businesses that demonstrate excellence in innovation as well as gives entrepreneurs a chance to shine on a global platform. Al-Shoqabi started his business, TeckLee, seven years ago to produce plastic-based products using an affordable, biodegradable alternative to plastic.
This year, Shell LiveWIRE partnered with Shell Global Commercial, which supplies lubricants, aviation fuels, bitumen, sulfur and related services to 1 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 from 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 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.”
“Working with innovators like these will allow economy, communities and society to move faster toward a truly sustainable future in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he added.
The winner of each category received a prize of $20,000 and the two runners-up from each category received a prize of $10,000. In addition, the judges chose an Outstanding Achievement Award winner who received $10,000. The award package for all 10 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.
