Retail Entrepreneurs Encouraged to Enter the Stelios Foundation €500,000 North–South Business Cooperation Awards
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands including easyJet.com, easyHotel.com and many others (see www.easy.com and www.easyHistory.info) and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (see stelios.foundation and stelios.ie) – has announced the return of the North–South Business Cooperation Awards, a major initiative designed to celebrate and support cross-border entrepreneurship and encourage start-ups on the island of Ireland.
Following the success of the inaugural programme, the Awards will once again provide a total prize fund of €500,000 to entrepreneurs operating across the island of Ireland. The Awards recognise ambitious businesses that are building commercial links between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and contributing to economic cooperation across the island.
The Awards continue to draw inspiration from similar initiatives supported by the Stelios Foundation in Cyprus, the birthplace of Sir Stelios’ parents, where bi-communal business awards have promoted economic cooperation between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs for more than 17 years.
Sir Stelios has a long-standing connection with the island of Ireland. In the months following the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, easyJet launched its first route from Luton to Belfast. Today, easyJet remains the market leader amongst airlines in Belfast, with seven in 10 passengers travelling with the airline.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: “These Awards represent more than recognition for ambitious entrepreneurs – they are about encouraging deeper economic cooperation across the island of Ireland. Businesses working together across borders create jobs, build trust and contribute to stronger and more connected communities.
“The response to the inaugural Awards demonstrated the enormous entrepreneurial talent that exists across the island and the appetite for greater North-South collaboration. I look forward to meeting this year’s finalists and celebrating businesses that are helping to shape a stronger all-island economy.”
The Awards will culminate in a high-profile ceremony at Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan, on 28th October 2026. The venue, located close to the border, was chosen to reflect the spirit of cross-community partnership and economic cooperation underpinning the initiative. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou will personally present the awards and meet finalists on the day.
Co-operation Ireland will once again partner on the initiative. Ian Jeffers, Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland, said: “Cross-border business partnerships play a hugely important role in supporting peace, prosperity and shared understanding on the island of Ireland. These Awards recognise the real economic and social value that comes from cooperation. By backing entrepreneurs who are building commercial links across the border, we are helping to strengthen relationships and create lasting opportunities for communities North and South.”
Applications are now open for cross-border business entrepreneurs that meet the criteria. Full details and entry forms are available at www.stelios.ie and www.stelios.foundation.
