DISABLED ENTREPRENEURS AWARDS UK

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About the Disabled Entrepreneurs Award

Sir Stelios calls for applications for the Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK as from Thursday 3 April 2025

Download the UK Disabled Entrepreneurs Award form

Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands including easyJet (see www.easyHistory.info) and founder and president of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, are proud to launch the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2025 now in their 17th year.

The Awards offer financial prizes for disabled entrepreneurs in the UK. A top prize of £150,000 and two finalist prizes of £100,000 and £50,000 are up for grabs for this year’s winners, offering 300,000 in cash prizes in total for 2025.

Since the awards started in 2006 a grand total of £1,850,000 has been donated by Sir Stelios and his foundation to disabled entrepreneurs recognising the exceptional achievements of disabled entrepreneurs who have set up their own company in the UK and excel in their chosen business field.

Sir Stelios said:
“We know that people with a disability find it more difficult to get a job. I have long held the view that the best way for a disabled person to get a job is to start their own business and be their own boss!

As we are in the business of rewarding entrepreneurial excellence, I sincerely hope that offering these substantial cash prizes for those who have started up their own business and are doing well, will mean they will become role models for other disabled people to start their own business and also create jobs and wealth for themselves, their families, their staff and suppliers.”

Applications are open from Thursday 3 April 2025, and close at 5pm on  Friday 16 May 2025. The winners will be announced via Zoom on Friday 13th June 2025 at 12 noon UK time.

Entrepreneurs will be eligible to apply if:

  1. They are registered disabled in the UK.
  2. 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 £100,000.
  3. They are a Director of the company.

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is also donating £50,000 to Leonard Cheshire directly to help with the running of this year’s awards.

Marcus Missen, Executive Director Advocacy, Partnership and Impact at Leonard Cheshire said: 
“We are proud to have been working with Sir Stelios and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation since 2007. Each year, it is fantastic to see the creativity, drive, and talent of disabled entrepreneurs that these Awards spotlight and celebrate. Disabled entrepreneurs too often face additional barriers to success, which is why opportunities like this, and appropriate support for disabled people, are so important, and make a big difference.”

Amongst many worthy previous winners Sir Stelios would like to mention Amar Latif, founder of www.Traveleyes-international and broadcaster on BBC and CH4, Josh Wintersgill of www.easyTravelseat.com, Steve Holyer of www.easyAccessibility.co.uk, Mark Williams of www.limb-art.com, 2019 winner Victoria Nelson founder www.deaf4deaf.com, Joe Waggott of www.metalpolishingsupplies.co.uk, Cristian Brownlee of www.myadaptability.co.uk, and last year’s winner Cedric Bloch of Brigit’s Bakery. 

For full details on eligibility:
https://www.leonardcheshire.org/get-support/working/stelios-awards-disabled-entrepreneurs

Application form: www.stelios.foundation

Any questions please email: SteliosAward@leonardcheshire.org

All completed application forms should be emailed to maya.turnbull@stelios.com
Not later than Friday 16 May 2025 at 5.00pm.

Download the UK Disabled Entrepreneurs Award form

About the UK Awards

The Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK is a business award run in partnership with the Leonard Cheshire, A registered charity dedicated to supporting individuals to live, learn and work as independently as they choose, whatever their level of ability.
The award recognises the exceptional spirit and business ability of disabled entrepreneurs.

I am very passionate about encouraging an enterprising spirit throughout British culture. Helping to remove the barriers that disabled people face in business is an important part of this.
– Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou

Who can apply?

Anyone based in the UK. We have applications from all arenas: from accessible wheelchair suitcases to pottery, mental health apps and adapted ice cream vans. Past winners have been drawn from the travel agency, building and IT sectors as well as businesses specialising in disability/mobility aids and sports.

Criteria for Entries

  • The award is open to disabled applicants* over the age of 18
  • Operating in the UK only
  • The award is open to registered and not-yet registered companies, charities and social enterprises
  • A disabled entrepreneur must own at least 50% of the company
  • The company must be at most seven years old
  • The applicant must have, or plans to have, an active online presence
  • Past winners and/or applicants are welcome to re-apply. Many winners have applied before

* We use the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability, which means this prize is for all disabled entrepreneurs / people with a long term health condition. If you have any questions about your eligibility, please feel free to email steliosaward@leonardcheshire.org for further information.

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