For the third consecutive year, the 'Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus' have celebrated youth entrepreneurship, highlighting innovative ideas, fostering growth, and encouraging young people to turn their dreams into successful businesses.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Creator and Owner of the easy family of brands (www.easy.com & www.easyHistory.info) and Founder and Chairman of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (https://steliosfoundation.com.cy/), continues to invest in the vision and creativity of the new generation.
At the 'Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Cyprus 2025' ceremony, held on 7 October at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, 5 Markou Drakou, Nicosia, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou awarded a total of €200,000 to three winners whose entrepreneurial ideas stood out among dozens of entries.
- First Prize: €100,000 awarded to George Chrysostomides for the Shopify website development company Shrine (https://shrine.io/)
- Second Prize: €60,000 awarded to Chrystallena Poulli for the herbal cosmetics company CP Herbalist (https://www.cpherbalist.com/)
- Third Prize: €40,000 awarded to Harout Chouldjian and Panagiotis Franjesko for the international online shapewear brand Luxmery (https://theluxmery.com/)
This year’s Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs, which saw record participation, have become a well-established institution in Cyprus and a benchmark for innovation, creativity, and the empowerment of the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou congratulated the three winners via Zoom, expressing his admiration and support for the dynamism of Cyprus’s young entrepreneurs. The First Lady, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, presented the first prize, while Rena Rouvitha Panou, Board Member of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation in Cyprus awarded the second prize. The third prize was presented by Maria Lafazani, one of last year’s winners, adding a distinctive and symbolic touch to the ceremony.
George Chrysostomides, recipient of the €100,000 first prize for the Shopify website company Shrine, stated upon receiving the award:
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou for the tremendous honor and recognition this award represents. His support of young entrepreneurs has long been a beacon for Cypriot society and an inspiration for all of us striving to build our own ventures. This award is not merely a formal recognition; it is a reminder that innovation, perseverance, and creativity are acknowledged when paired with hard work and a clear vision. For me, this prize is an opportunity to give back to the community that has supported me from the very beginning. I have decided to allocate the €100,000 prize to charitable causes and to support young people in my generation who have already launched their own entrepreneurial initiatives and need that extra push to continue. I firmly believe that investing in and empowering young people is the most effective investment for the future. I would also encourage all young entrepreneurs to participate in the Young Entrepreneurs Awards, as this initiative gives ideas the power to grow. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s contribution demonstrates clearly that Cyprus can be a hub for creativity, development, and opportunity".
Chrystallena Poulli, winner of the €60,000 second prize for the herbal cosmetics company CP Herbalist, remarked:
"I would like to express my gratitude to Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation for this significant recognition, which acknowledges my effort, passion, and vision, giving me the strength to continue with even greater dedication. For CP Herbalist, this award is a valuable boost for the future. The prize money will be used to acquire a new specialised cream production machine, enhancing our production, expanding our product range, and energising our exports, while also creating new jobs in Cyprus. I would encourage all young entrepreneurs to believe in their dreams and participate in the Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs, as it provides a unique opportunity for recognition and support for their next major step".
Harout Chouldjian and Panagiotis Franjesko, recipients of the €40,000 third prize for the international online shapewear company Luxmery, said during their acceptance:
"Being awarded in the Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs is a great honor. In Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, we see not only one of the few Cypriots to reach the top of the global business world, but also a living example that with vision, hard work, and social contribution, dreams become reality. This award is not only recognition of our journey so far, but also a starting point for even more ambitious steps. We will invest the prize in our most important asset-our people. Through TCC Ventures, the e-commerce aggregator we created, we aim to mentor talented young 'A-players' in Cyprus, developing and showcasing them as future partners in internationally competitive brands. We encourage young people to take the step and participate in the Young Entrepreneurs Awards”.
The First Lady, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, in her address, highlighted the importance of the Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs: “These Awards are much more than a financial incentive. They represent an act of trust in the young people of Cyprus, in their ability to create, to innovate, and to evolve. The recognition serves as a springboard for young entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity to take the next step, to be inspired, to drive the development of new jobs, and to contribute to the economic progress of our country.”
During the awards ceremony, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou stated:
"I feel proud that the Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs are evolving and now established as an institution that inspires and supports youth entrepreneurship in Cyprus. This year broke all records with 77 innovative entries. Selecting the winners was challenging, which is the clearest proof of the talent and strength of the new generation. Among these entries, three start-ups stood out in sectors with distinct identity and potential: the rapidly growing field of digital services, international-focused fashion e-commerce, and herbal cosmetics which showcases the power of nature. Three different paths, united by the common denominator of innovation, passion, and creativity. I want to congratulate not only the winners, but also everyone who applied and presented their proposals. I encourage them to continue with determination, and for those who were not successful this year, my message is: try again in 2026! I remain committed to supporting the next generation consistently and steadily, as this is where the leaders of tomorrow are shaped, and the future of Cyprus is built. Every young entrepreneur daring to make their dream a reality is, for me, proof that Cyprus has boundless potential."
About the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, a non-profit organisation, dedicated to supporting charitable activities in the countries where Sir Stelios and his family have lived and worked: Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Ireland, Monaco, and France.
In Cyprus, the Foundation’s notable initiatives include the Bi-Communal Business Cooperation Awards and the Youth Entrepreneurship Awards, both offering financial support to winners. In addition, the "Food from the Heart" initiative provides food to thousands facing economic hardship. The Foundation also extends financial aid to vulnerable groups, those impacted by major disasters, charitable organisations, and students through scholarships for university-level studies.
