£300K CASH PRIZES TO BE WON, the highest ever amounts in one year for the 18th awards
For the first time applicants will submit video pitches and be filmed for pilot documentary.
Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands (see www.easyHistory.info) and founder and President of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (https://stelios.foundation/), are proud to launch for the 18th Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK 2025.
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 2026.
Since the awards started in 2007 a grand total of £1,850,000 (including this year’s sum) 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.
For the first time, this year’s awards process will be filmed as part of a short documentary-style pilot about the competition and the entrepreneurs involves, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the journey from application to final decision, as well as featuring on social media platforms. As part of the process this year, applicants are required to submit a short video submission pitching directly to Sir Stelios. Details for entering can be found on the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation website here.
Applications are open from today, Friday, 27 March 2026, and close at 5pm on Thursday, 30 April 2026. The winners will be announced via a hybrid ceremony via Zoom and at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, Thurloe Square, London on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 at 12 noon UK time.
Eligibility criteria:
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 £200,000.
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.
For full details on eligibility go to leonardcheshire.org/stelios .
If you have any questions about your eligibility email at: SteliosAward@leonardcheshire.org.
All completed application forms should be emailed to maya.turnbull@stelios.com not later than Thursday, 30 April 2026 at 5.00pm.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, said: “People with disabilities often face greater challenges in securing salaried employment, and I have always believed that the best for way a disabled person to get a job is to start their own business and be their own boss!
“We are committed to recognising and celebrating entrepreneurial excellence, and I hope that by offering significant cash prizes to those who have successfully launched their businesses will mean they inspire others with disabilities to follow suit and start their own ventures, generating opportunities and wealth for themselves, their families, employees and suppliers.
“And this year we are introducing a few exciting changes to the format of the awards. Applicants will pitch directly to me via video submission and I have commissioned a behind-the-scenes documentary film as part of a pilot project which may well one day become a mainstream social media or TV series.”