Are you a disabled entrepreneur? You could win a share of £300,000 from easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou – here’s how!
Are you a disabled entrepreneur? You could win a share of £300,000 from easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou – here’s how!
Challenges and Opportunities for Disabled Entrepreneurs
Despite persistent challenges in traditional employment, disabled individuals are increasingly opting to establish their own ventures as a path forward.
Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs
Across the United Kingdom, disabled entrepreneurs are transforming innovative concepts into successful enterprises, setting powerful examples for others to emulate. The Stelios Awards, established to honor exceptional accomplishments by disabled entrepreneurs in the UK, aim to equip them with the resources necessary to achieve even more remarkable success.
Initiated in collaboration with Leonard Cheshire, a disability charity, these awards were first introduced in 2007 by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the visionary founder of easyJet and the easy family of brands, and now mark their 18th anniversary.
Eligibility and Prize Structure
Eligible candidates must satisfy the following conditions: 1. Be over 18 years old and reside in the UK as a disabled individual. 2. Hold a minimum of 50% ownership in a UK-registered for-profit enterprise that has submitted annual financial statements to the Companies House, demonstrating a revenue of at least £200,000 in a single year.
Contestants are eligible to compete for a £150,000 grand prize, alongside two additional awards of £100,000 and £50,000. To date, the cumulative prize money awarded through the awards since their inception in 2007 totals £2,150,000, including this year’s £300,000 fund.
Recent Winners and Impact
Last year’s top prize of £150,000 went to Umbreen David, founder of Hoama Group Ltd, who implemented impactful upgrades at Iden Manor Nursing Home in Kent to improve accessibility for residents.
“I am on a journey of building a care home,” Umbreen said after winning her prize. “I also want to share my knowledge with young people and hopefully inspire them to think: if that crazy woman can do it, maybe I can too.”
Applicants are now required to submit a video directly to Sir Stelios, which will be showcased in a documentary-style pilot and shared across social media platforms.
Awards Format Evolution
Sir Stelios emphasized, “Disabled individuals frequently encounter heightened obstacles in securing regular employment, which is why I firmly believe that launching one’s own business is the most effective way to attain independence and success.”
He added, “Our goal is to acknowledge and celebrate entrepreneurial prowess, and by providing substantial cash incentives, we aim to motivate other disabled individuals to pursue their own ventures, creating opportunities and prosperity for themselves, their families, employees, and suppliers.”
This year, the awards are introducing several innovative modifications to their format. Sir Stelios noted, “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.”
Cedric Bloch’s Journey
Cedric Bloch, the founder of Brigit’s Bakery, exemplifies resilience. His journey began with an idea to serve afternoon tea on London’s iconic Routemaster buses, leading to the establishment of his business. A spinal injury sustained in a bike accident in 2021 left him paralyzed from the waist down, yet his determination enabled him to rebuild and expand his enterprise, culminating in his win as the 2024 Stelios Awards overall champion.
In addition to distributing substantial financial rewards, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is contributing £50,000 to Leonard Cheshire to support the operational aspects of this year’s competition.
