Stelios Awards For Young Entrepreneurs return for their 17th year in Greece, stronger and more dynamic than ever

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and its Founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands (www.easygroup.com.gr), announce the launch of the 2026 Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Greece. Now in their 17th year, the Awards continue to recognise young entrepreneurs who are building innovative, high-growth businesses with a meaningful impact on the Greek economy.

For more than 16 years, the Awards have served as a benchmark for the Greek startup ecosystem, continuously evolving to reflect the maturity of the innovation landscape and the dynamism of the new generation of entrepreneurs.

Sustained support with tangible impact

In 2026, three young entrepreneurs will once again share a total prize fund of €300,000. The first prize winner will receive €150,000, the second €100,000, and the third €50,000, supporting the further growth of their businesses, job creation, and international expansion.

Applicants must be up to 34 years old (born in 1992 or later) and must have founded a company in Greece within the last five years (registered in 2021 or later). Eligible companies must have a minimum annual turnover of €100,000 and employ at least three people. Only capital companies (IKE, EPE or AE) are eligible, while partnerships (OE, EE) and sole proprietorships are excluded. Applicants must own more than 50% of their company.

Previous applicants may reapply provided they meet the criteria, while past winners are not eligible. Applicants of any nationality may apply, provided their company is registered and taxed in Greece.

Applications open on 30 April 2026 and close on 6 July 2026, while the Awards Ceremony will take place on 3 September 2026 at the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall in Plaka, Athens, in the presence of representatives from the business and institutional community.

Institutional support and expanded reach

For 2026, the Awards are held under the institutional support of Elevate Greece, the national platform for the registration and support of Greek startups. This collaboration builds on last year’s recognition of Elevate Greece companies and contributes to increasing awareness, participation, and support in the evaluation process.

Elevate Greece’s involvement further strengthens the institutional profile of the Awards, highlighting the importance of supporting entrepreneurship at a national level.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou stated:“The Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurship continue to highlight outstanding young entrepreneurs who create real value and jobs in Greece. It is particularly encouraging to see the quality of applications improving every year, reflecting the progress of the Greek startup ecosystem.”

Over 16 years of contribution to Greek entrepreneurship

Since 2008, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has awarded more than €2,000,000 in total, actively contributing to the growth of the Greek economy and job creation.

The Awards have served as a springboard for dozens of successful companies operating both in Greece and internationally, including Ferryhopper, Cinobo, Ancient Greek Sandals, Enaleia, Vendora, Sun of a Beach and others.

Application process

Applications are submitted online via the Foundation’s website: https://steliosfoundation.gr/

Interested candidates are invited to complete the application form and submit their entries between 30 April and 6 July 2026, competing for a significant opportunity for funding and recognition.

About the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation supporting charitable and educational initiatives in countries where its founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has been active, including Greece, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Monaco.

The Foundation contributes to society through:

• The “Food from the Heart” initiative, supporting individuals facing financial hardship across Greece, Cyprus, the UK, Ireland and France. Since its launch in 2013, the programme has distributed snacks every working day, serving on average 300,000 snacks monthly to 150,000 visitors.
• Organising a total of seven entrepreneurship awards across Greece, Cyprus, the UK, Ireland, France and Monaco.
• Funding scholarships that enable young people to study at schools and universities such as Doukas School, BCA College and OMEGA Yachting Academy in Athens, the University of Cyprus, and the London School of Economics and Bayes Business School, City, University of London.
• Offering free use of the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall (capacity up to 200 people) to non-profit organisations. The historic building at 22 Kidathineon Street in Plaka was fully renovated by the Foundation and inaugurated in autumn 2023.

For more information about the Foundation’s activities, please visit:
https://stelios.org/