£70,000 cash prize offered to disabled entrepreneurs

A cash prize of £70,000 is to be offered to disabled entrepreneurs or businesses that employ or offer support for disabled people.

The prize is being offered by entrepreneur Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Leonard Cheshire Disability as part of the Stelios Award 2016.

Challenges

Now in its tenth year, the Stelios Award celebrates the achievements of disabled entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges to start up their own business. The awards are also open to businesses or disabled entrepreneurs who have set up their own business to help other people with disabilities.

A £30,000 prize will be offered this year, along with a prize of £10,000 each for the four finalists, bringing the total amount offered to £70,000.

The criteria for the competition has also been changed this year to give more businesses and entrepreneurs a chance to apply.

Applications are being accepted from business owners who have a disability, companies who employ disabled people, and companies that provide products or services for disabled people.

Inclusive

Commenting on the competition, Sir Stelios said: “I am delighted that this idea I had 10 years ago has matured to be an institution still supported by the leading charity in the UK in the field of disability. To celebrate our 10th anniversary I have decided to increase the cash prizes to £70,000 and make it more inclusive so even people with a worthy business plan can apply before they have a real business.”