Sir Stelios offers £70k for disabled entrepreneurs
Howard Lake | 30 August 2016 | News
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Leonard Cheshire Disability are inviting applications for The Stelios Award 2016 from disabled entrepreneurs and businesses which support or employ disabled people.
Now in its 10th year, the award, jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, recognises the achievements of disabled entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges to set up their own company and excel in their chosen business field.
This year the Award features increased cash prizes of £70,000. There is a top prize of £30,000 and prizes of £10,000 each for four finalists.
All forms of entrepreneurship / planned business activity, including start-ups, which are operated by disabled people or for the benefit of disabled people are eligible to apply.
Sir Stelios said:
“I am delighted that this idea I had 10 years ago has matured to be an institution still supported by the leading charity in the UK in the field of disability. To celebrate our 10th anniversary I have decided to increase the cash prizes to £70,000 and make it more inclusive so even people with a worthy business plan can apply before they have a real business.”
New criteria
This year the award features new criteria, opening it to even more organisations and individuals. Applications can now be made by:
Advertisement
- a company owned by a person with a disability
- a company which predominantly employs disabled people
- a company that supplies products or services to disabled people
Applications for The Stelios Award 2016 close on 10 October 2016.
Last year’s winner
Last year’s Stelios Award winner was Geoff Holt. He said:
“Winning the 2015 Award was the highlight of my commercial career. The Award has not only accelerated our business development and created more employment, but knowing that Sir Stelios chose me as the Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year was high praise indeed and an amazing endorsement of me and my business.
“Following the Award, my business Wetwheels received nationwide publicity which has led to an increase in enquiries from new clients which is great news for all involved. I would urge anyone with a disability, whether you see yourself as an entrepreneur or not, to apply and let Stelios and his team decide.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.