Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou awards Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus for the second year

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands and Founder and President of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, awarded young entrepreneurship in Cyprus by presenting the "Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus 2024.”

The award were presented during a ceremony held on 15 September 1 at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation in Markou Drakou Street, Nicosia.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou awarded a total of €100,000 to the top three entrepreneurial ideas, which were selected from the participants (1st Prize €50,000, 2nd Prize €30,000, 3rd Prize €20,000).

The "Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs" have now become an established institution in Cyprus, alongside the Stelios Bi-Communal Awards, which have been recognising Bi-Communal Business Cooperation since 2009. Interested parties will be able to submit their applications for these awards starting from the beginning of the new year.

According to a relevant press release, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou congratulated the three winners via Zoom. The First Lady, . Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, presented the award to the first-place winner. The second prize was awarded by Mrs. Rena Rouvitha-Panou, a member of the Board of Directors of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation based in Cyprus, and the third prize was presented by last year's winner, Theodoros Panagidis, owner of the café-restaurant "Stavros" in Pedoulas, in the presence of media representatives.

The first prize of €50,000 was awarded to Andreas and Christos Neophytou for "Cito Gourmet Express".

Andreas and Christos stated: “This award is a significant milestone in our journey, and it serves as a powerful reminder that our efforts are making a difference. It fuels our determination to explore new horizons, embrace challenges, and continue growing in ways that will positively impact our community. We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence in our industry guided by our values and a deep sense of commitment to our clientele”.

Second prize of €30,000 was awarded to Maria Lafazani for "Maria Lafazani Clinical Laboratories".

"The awarding of the second prize at the ‘Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus 2024’ is a great honor for me, and I warmly thank Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and the associates of his foundation", stated Maria Lafazani. "This distinction recognises the continuous effort to provide high-quality healthcare services, the dedication to humanity, and the professionalism that all the members of my scientific team demonstrate daily. I am confident that the recognition of young people, along with the charitable work of the ‘Stelios Haji-Ioannou Foundation,’ which has already expanded into various fields, will continue for many more years, benefiting our society", she notably remarked.

The third prize of €20,000 is awarded to Yiannis Christodoulou for the construction company "Topsquare Homes".

With a vision to create innovative and aesthetically pleasing projects that enhance quality of life, Topsquare Homes has been active in the land development and construction sector since 2022. By combining high-aesthetic architecture, sustainable development, and quality customer service, the company offers residential units that place people at the center, promoting a superior living experience. Yiannis Christodoulou stated: "We are deeply grateful to the Stelios Foundation for this honorable recognition, which motivates us to continue with dedication and passion toward achieving our goals."

During the award ceremony, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: "I am delighted that the Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs are now becoming an established institution in Cyprus. My joy is even greater because young entrepreneurs have embraced this initiative, submitting 13 excellent proposals, which made the final selection process very challenging. This year, we selected three worthy startups, which are part of key sectors of the Cypriot economy, such as the fields of food service, health, and construction. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees! I encourage the candidates who didn’t win this year to reapply next year. We will continue to support youth entrepreneurship, as the new generation is the future of our country."

Stelios Philanthropic Foundation

The goal of the non-profit Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is to contribute to society and support charitable activities in Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Monaco—countries where Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is active.

Key initiatives of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation include the Bi-Communal Business Cooperation Awards and the Young Entrepreneur Awards, which offer cash prizes to the winners. Other important actions are the "Food from the Heart" initiative, which provides food to thousands of people facing difficult economic conditions, financial support for vulnerable groups and those affected by major disasters, financial aid to charitable organisations, and funding scholarships for young people to attend university.