SIR STELIOS HAJI-IOANNOU SUPPORTS YOUTH ENTERPRENEURSHIP IN GREECE WITH 400.000 € IN THE PAST 8 YEARS
NEW CRITERIA FOR ENTERING THE CONTEST AND FUNDING INCREASE UP TO 75.000 € TOTAL IN 2016
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou announced the winner of «The Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece 2015», during the official Lesxi Epixeirimatikotitas “Kouros” Awards Ceremony 2015, at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel.
In the past eight years, a total of 400.000 € has been given to eight new businesses located in Greece, proving Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s commitment to support young, creative and innovative Greek businessmen.
The founder of easyJet, easyGroup and Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, awarded Alexandros and Vasileios Chatziiliadis of Sede, with the prize of 50.000 €. Sede, which is located in Thessaloniki, is a hair salon business that offers personalized beauty services. The company has been chosen by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou for the Award, because in only three years of operation, it has successfully developed a sustainable business activity and plan which is based on innovation and quality and has managed to prevail in the beauty business sector.
During the Award Ceremony, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, recognizing the effects of the crisis in the Greek economy, announced that he will increase the funding to 75.000 € and will change the criteria for entering the competition in 2016, in order to enhance participation. From the following year, every winner will receive 25.000 € and five shortlisted companies, will receive 10.000 € each, a detail that will change significantly the Award process. The age of the participants remains at 40 years old (or younger), with a business activity of 5 years (or less) and an annual turnover at 10.000 € minimum (but without the binding term of profitability).