Sir Stelios Hatzioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of Brands (www.easy.com & www.easyHistory.info), founder and chairman of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (https://steliosfoundation.com.cy), is honoring youth entrepreneurship in Cyprus for the fourth consecutive year, offering a total of 200,000 euros to the three best business ideas.
The “Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus” competition, which has now established itself as a major institution supporting youth entrepreneurship, aims to highlight and empower young people who possess vision, innovative ideas, and the ambition to turn them into successful businesses.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Following the success of previous editions, the Youth Entrepreneurship Awards once again offer young entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their ideas, receive substantial financial support, and take the next decisive step on their entrepreneurial journey.
Cash prizes totaling 200,000 euros
The three winners will compete for the €200,000 cash prize as follows:
- The first-place winner will receive €100,000
- The second-place winner will receive €60,000
- The third-place winner will receive €40,000
It is worth noting that previous editions attracted massive participation, establishing the “Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus” as a benchmark for youth entrepreneurship in Cyprus, comparable to the awards held in Greece since 2008.
Eligibility to participate in the “Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus 2026” is open to young entrepreneurs under the age of 34 who have established a company in the Republic of Cyprus within the last five years and have an annual turnover of at least 40,000 euros. Young entrepreneurs of any nationality are eligible to participate in the competition.
Referring to the 2026 Youth Entrepreneurship Awards, Sir Stelios Hatzioannou stated: “Cyprus’s younger generation has the strength, vision, and determination to innovate, create, and actively contribute to shaping the country’s entrepreneurial future. Through the Youth Entrepreneurship Awards, we want to give young people the opportunity to take risks, present their ideas, and receive the substantial support they need during the first, and most critical steps of their entrepreneurial journey.
We support young people because we believe in their potential and their ability to create promising businesses, thereby helping to strengthen the Cypriot economy. Our goal is for the “Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus” to serve as a strong incentive for young entrepreneurs and a platform through which the best ideas can evolve into successful, sustainable businesses, growth, and a positive impact on society.
And as I always tell young people: take the plunge now that you have the future ahead of you. Now is the time to pursue your vision, take the initiative, and create something meaningful, before experience makes you more cautious about taking risks and limits your boldness and imagination.”
Applications
The submission period for applications to the “Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus 2026” began on September 1, 2026, and will run through October 15, 2026. Interviews with the candidates will be conducted online, while the awards ceremony, at which Sir Stelios Hatzioannou will present the cash prizes, will take place on November 10, 2026.
Those interested can register for the 2026 Youth Entrepreneurship Awards by clicking on the link https://steliosfoundation.com.cy/. For more information and the competition criteria, candidates are invited to download the application form, which, once completed, should be emailed to Mr. Mario Misirlis at [email protected], with the subject line “Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus 2026.”
