1st candidate would b a better choice.

1st

Me

For a start up lubricants business I too would vote for candidate #1. Knowledge of geology is no help. I think knowledge of sales & marketing in the lubes industry, having contact in the industry would be more important.

Definitely candidate number one , he can get the independent decision authority within the business need on his own responsibility and it's really needed specially in any start-up but within limits. You need someone who can build the sales network from scratch not an office manager. Choose the first candidate and u will win

No one really. 

Organisations need a person who conforms to the vision of the ownership. They can ill-afford an independently thinking person whose best place is own business. You need a team player especially in Sales.

With the limited context provided, Yes the 1st candidate seems to be a safe bet. But if you look at it more holistically, candidate 3 has experience of the industry in SC domain. Now it will be your call to assess how much of contribution you can provide to the start up on Sales front, and the value add this candidate will provide to the business with expertise on Supply chain domain. Recruitment in a start up has to be done based on maximum industry expertise with minimum resources. So candidate 3 cannot be ignored.

3
If he has people skills

Bhupinder: Dont you think in 4 boxes, dont you? Take the one who fits in the box schem of your company if there is one👍

Canditate 1 I would das, because there are too many sellers outside who have no experience in Lubes. Independent of brands😎

candidate #1 you are beginning from a scratch...candidate # 2 once you have business

the lubricant market is a retail market rather than its a oil technical market so i advise the sales and marketing expert with good company product quality and price offer , you will got your objectives - my deep congratulation inadvance

No. 1 will help you organize your client base; educate your Customers on WHY they should "try" you, over a more seasoned/established company, and add your hunger to sell them something. #2 is out, and #3 probably doesn't know the "Value proposition" of the sale, as he only rings up the guy, that is already knowing what he/they want to buy--routine purchases.
G.

Me

number 1 or 3, I would strongly recommend someone with prior experience and someone who is an engineer as understanding the problem is pivotal in applying the most appropriate solution . If you don’t look for a value selling approach the product becomes commoditised. However if thats the strategy then any one of the 3 could do that

Depends on what is your expectation as job profile i.e technical or non technical?