Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is offering 200,000 euros in prizes to the three best business ideas from entrepreneurs under 34 in Cyprus, with applications open until October 15.
The Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus, now in their fourth year, are open to entrepreneurs who set up a company in the Republic of Cyprus within the past five years and report annual turnover of at least 40,000 euros, regardless of nationality.
The first winner will receive 100,000 euros, the second 60,000 euros and the third 40,000 euros.
Applications opened on September 1. Candidates will be interviewed online, and Haji-Ioannou will present the prizes at a ceremony on November 10. Applicants can register through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation website, steliosfoundation.com.cy. They must download the application form, which also sets out the competition criteria, complete it and email it to Marios Missirlis at [email protected], quoting “Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus 2026″.
“The young generation of Cyprus has the strength, vision and determination to innovate, create and contribute actively to shaping the country’s business future,” Haji-Ioannou said. He said the aim is to give young people the chance to dare, present their ideas and receive substantial support in the first, and most critical, steps of their business journey.
Similar awards have been held in Greece since 2008. Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands, founded and chairs the non-profit Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, which supports charitable activities in the countries where he and his family have lived and worked: Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Ireland, Monaco and France.
In Cyprus, the foundation runs the Bicommunal Business Cooperation Awards and the youth entrepreneurship awards, both of which give cash prizes to winners. Its work also includes the “Food from the Heart” initiative for thousands of people facing financial hardship, financial support for vulnerable groups and victims of major disasters, aid to charities, and university scholarships for young people.
