Calling all disabled entrepreneurs! The Stelios 2023 Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs are now open – £100k of cash prizes to be won! Don’t delay…apply today
Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands including easyJet and founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, are proud to launch The Stelios Awards 2023 for Disabled in the UK.
Here, we meet Stelios, the founder, discover his motivation in creating the awards for disabled entrepreneurs and how you can apply.
The Stelios Awards prizes and donations
Jointly run by us and Leonard Cheshire since 2006, the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs UK, recognise the exceptional achievements of disabled entrepreneurs who have set up their own company and excel in their chosen business field, catering to customers right across the country, irrespective of ability.
Our Awards offer one of the largest financial prizes for disabled entrepreneurs in the UK. A top prize of £50,000 and two finalist prizes of £30,000 and £20,000 are up for grabs for this year’s winners, offering £100,000 in cash in total for 2023.
Since the awards started in 2006, we have donated a grand total of over £1.3million (including this year’s sum), to disabled entrepreneurs and Leonard Cheshire, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents.
In recent years, our awards have been won by entrepreneurs in charge of businesses ranging from Christmas tree farming to conservatory design and the development of mental health apps.
Sir Stelios says:
“Sadly, despite all efforts, there remains considerable obstacles to disabled people finding full-time salaried employment. And I have long held the view that the best way for a disabled person to get such a job is to start their own business and be their own boss! We are awarding excellence in business.”
“I hope that cash rewards for those who have started their own business will mean more disabled people doing just that…so creating wealth for themselves, their families, staff and suppliers.”
How to apply
Applications are open now and close at 5pm on Friday 14th April 2023. The overall winner will receive their grand prize of £50,000 at an online Awards ceremony via Zoom on Thursday 18th May from 1pm to 2pm. Two runners up will receive prizes of £30,000 and £20,000.
Entrepreneurs will be eligible to apply if:
- They are registered disabled in the UK
- They own at least 50% of a UK registered for-profit company that has filed accounts with UK Companies House showing a turnover (Revenues) in one year of at least £5,000.
We are also donating £20,000 to Leonard Cheshire directly to help with the running of this year’s awards.
For full details on eligibility go to leonardcheshire.org/stelios.
Ruth Owen Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire, says:
“We are really pleased to be working with Sir Stelios again on these important awards. Every year it is fantastic to see the wide array of entries and these awards provide a great opportunity for disabled entrepreneurs to network, build on and promote their businesses. There’s so much untapped disabled talent out there and I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s entries.”
Apply here – APPLICATION FORM Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2023 in partnership with Leonard Cheshire.
If you have any questions about your eligibility, email at: SteliosAward@leonardcheshire.org.
All completed application forms should be emailed to tracy.ghori@stelios.com no later than Friday 14th April 2023 at 5pm.
Previous Stelios Award winners
Amongst many worthy previous winners, we would like to mention:
- Amar Latif – founder of Traveleyes and broadcaster on BBC and Channel 4
- Josh Wintersgill – founder of ableMove (formally easyTravelseat)
- Steve Holyer – founder of easyAccessibility
- Mark Williams – founder of Limb Art
- Victoria Nelson – founder of Deaf4Deaf
- Joe Waggott – founder of Metal Polishing Supplies
For more information follow The Stelios Foundation and Awards on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest and YouTube.
By The Stelios Awards Team
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