Calling all entrepreneurs!
The Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs is back for its eleventh year, and we want to help you turn your business dreams into reality.
Whether it’s your start-up ideas, clever business or social enterprise, or brilliant expansion plans, we want to hear from you.
What is the Stelios Award
The Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK is a business award run in partnership with the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. The award recognises the exceptional spirit and business ability of disabled entrepreneurs.
If you win, you get £30,000
If you make the finalist shortlist, you win £10,000
We welcome applications from start-ups, companies which have been up and running, but things all winners have had in common – is determination, drive and talent to create a flourishing business. All have benefited from the publicity, funding and mentoring surrounding the awards.
As Sir Stelios put it himself on the launch of the award:
“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.”
“That is why I was keen to establish an award which gives disabled people an opportunity to showcase their ability rather than have them negatively judged by their disability.”
Last year’s Winners:
Hannah Chamberlain, who won in 2017, with her award-winning app, “MentalSnapp” said winning the Stelios Award really gave her a great boost and a new found confidence.
“We wanted to have an app that could help people actively and confidently manage their mental health with private video diaries. Being the overall winner meant we could make our plans a possibility.”
Hannah was the eleventh winner of this annual award. Competition was particularly tough following a record number of 72 applications.
Amar Latif, who was the first ever Stelios Award winner, and now a businessman and broadcaster, said:
“I started Travel-eyes with the dream of giving blind people the chance to travel the world at an affordable cost. Because of the Stelios Award, and the support I got through the process, we blossomed into an international organisation that now works all over the world. Even if you think your idea is small, all I can say is apply – you never know.”
Winning businesses have been anything from sports companies, ice cream makers, ceramic masters, apps, health training, education. You name it – we have seen it.
Don’t think you have to fit the mould – we love ideas and companies that break the mould.
How do I apply?
You can download the short- application form here.
Please read the criteria for applying carefully. If you need a different format, need help applying, or have any access needs, you can call the Stelios Award help line or email: steliosaward@leonardcheshire.org.
Please note: If you need access support in your application, we are here to help.
Whats the Awards timeline?
July – September 2018:
Download the application form, read the criteria and apply! Feel free to use our Stelios Award email and help line phone number if you have questions or need support in applying. SteliosAwards@leonardcheshire.org
1st October 2018 –
Awards application process closes
Mid-October 2018 –
Long list is decided by five external judges
31st October 2018 –
Short list created and handed to Sir Stelios
Videos of short-listed are created
14th November 2018 –
Awards Ceremony in London hosted by Sir Stelios and Leonard Cheshire. All accepted applicants are invited to the awards.