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Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, renowned creator of the easy family of brands and founder of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, have announced the launch of the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2024, marking their 16th year.
These awards offer substantial financial prizes to disabled entrepreneurs in the UK. The top prize stands at £100,000, with two finalist prizes of £60,000 and £40,000, collectively offering £200,000 in cash prizes for 2024.
Sir Stelios, in his commitment to recognising and supporting disabled entrepreneurship, stated, “We know that people with disabilities face challenges in employment. I firmly believe that entrepreneurship offers a path to empowerment and success for individuals with disabilities. By rewarding entrepreneurial excellence with these significant cash prizes, we aim to inspire and empower disabled individuals to start their own businesses, thereby creating opportunities for themselves and others.”
Applications for the awards will close at 5 pm on Tuesday, 11th June 2024. The winners will be revealed via Zoom on Tuesday, 9th July 2024, at 12 noon UK time.
Eligible entrepreneurs must meet the following criteria:1. They must be registered as disabled in the UK.2. They must own at least 50% of a UK registered for-profit company that has filed accounts with UK Companies House, demonstrating a turnover of at least £10,000 in one year.
Additionally, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has donated £20,000 directly to Leonard Cheshire to support the administration of this year’s awards.
Ruth Owen, Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Sir Stelios once again for these prestigious awards. Each year, we witness outstanding entries from disabled entrepreneurs, showcasing their talent and innovation. These awards not only provide financial support but also offer a platform for networking and business promotion. There is a wealth of untapped talent within the disabled community, and we look forward to seeing the entries for this year.”
Previous winners of the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs include notable figures such as Amar Latif, founder of Traveleyes International and broadcaster on BBC and Channel 4, Josh Wintersgill of easyTravelseat, Steve Holyer of Accessibility.com, and Mark Williams of Limb-art.com. Notable recent winners include Victoria Nelson, founder of Deaf4Deaf.com, Joe Waggott of MetalPolishingSupplies.co.uk, and Cristian Brownlee of MyAdaptability.co.uk.
