Shell supports awards for innovative entrepreneurs

THE Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. is supporting the 2022 Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) Innovation Award to help boost creative entrepreneurship among startups.

A cash grant will be extended to enable startups and small- to medium-sized businesses to expand their markets, upgrade their systems or bring about positive transformation in their communities, Shell said.

The Shell LiveWIRE vision of promoting entrepreneurship and innovation is aligned with the BYCF’s objective of recognizing individuals or organizations who have made significant improvements in sectors like governance, education, technology and industry, it said.

To take place on Feb. 25, 2022, the award will be given to participants recognized for doing outstanding work in the categories of energy, environment and circular economy, and local prosperity.

“Innovation is essential to the development of industries as well as Shell’s commitment to power progress for the nation,” said Conrado Parizal, Pilipinas Shell Country Social Performance and Social Investment manager.

The LiveWIRE program has supported more than 20 enterprises in the Philippines and fueled startups with offerings that can solve long-standing socioeconomic challenges.

Parizal said the partnership with the BCYF shows Pilipinas Shell’s commitment to the continuous discovery and empowerment of courageous visionaries who can make radical beneficial changes through power, sustainability and entrepreneurship.

The award is part of the BCYF’s Comprehensive Social Development Program, which is dedicated to research, education, events and developmental social enterprise. It was conceived as a result of the meeting of various organizations, especially those with young leaders who have developed breakthroughs that improved their business operations and provided value to their stakeholders.