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Stelios Award for Young Entrepreneur in Greece 2011
...and the winner is…Penny & Maria Vlachou from Fereikos Helix !
Tonight, November 24, 2011, Stelios Haji-Ioannou - founder of easyJet, Chairman of easyGroup and serial entrepreneur - announced the winner of the Stelios Haji-Ioannou Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece - 2011.
The €50,000 prize, was presented by Stelios himself at the prestigious Kouros Awards ceremony sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Association of Athens, was awarded to Penny & Maria Vlachou of Fereikos – Helix based in Corinth, with 8 employees - is offering development and support to the burgeoning snail-breeding community. With an impressive revenue stream to-date and important entrepreneurial moves, Fereikos - Helix promises to be an example of forward-thinking entrepreneurship in Greece.
While Greece has a proud history of business dynasties, it is less well known for small entrepreneurial businesses - particularly those entrepreneurs starting at any early age, as Stelios himself did with the founding of easyJet when he was 28 years old.
Commenting on the awards, Stelios said:
'In as difficult times as these, it becomes even more important for promising entrepreneurs with innovative business platforms to have access to funding. When I was 28, I was fortunate enough to have my father's support when I made my first entrepreneurial move. I want to provide that same support to today's young entrepreneurs.
'Fereikos -Helix is an excellent example of out-of-the-box thinking, a sound business strategy and the passion and willingness to take a risk that defines every entrepreneur. Their company has increased the number of snail-breeding units from 70 to 154 since last year, creating 200 new jobs. I hope that - in time – Penny & Maria Vlachou will prove to be important role models for future generations of entrepreneurs. I'm confident that the €50,000 will be going to a good home.'
Congratulations to the Fereikos - Helix team!
For further information click HERE
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation announces the 3 finalists for the 4th "Stelios Award Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece 2011".
The final decision was based on business development strategies and the creation of new job positions.
The 3 finalists are:
- Maria & Panayiota Vlachou of Fereikos Helix based in Corinth, with 8 employees - is offering development and support to the burgeoning snail-breeding community
- Rebecca Pitsika of People for Business based in Athens, with 9 employees, has a human resources agency offering targeted customized services for its executive clients
- Dimitris Glezos of Indifex based in Patras, with 8 employees - is active in creating and providing innovative translation software.
Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: "Four years ago, my only goal was to give something back to society, I started this project in collaboration with the Leshi Epihirimatikotitas, to highlight and promote entrepreneurship in Greece among young people under 40 years of age.
The idea behind this effort is simple: the biggest obstacle to a young person who wants to start his own business is finding the required funding, particularly now in such a difficult economic era for Greece. Consequently, with the prize of 50.000 €, I give the winner an opportunity to further grow his business. "
In 2008 the founders of Simply Burgers won the first annual Stelios Award for their successful customer service in the fast food industry. In 2009 the team of Zoo.gr won the award for their innovative approach to social media and the creation of biggest Greek Web Meeting Point and in 2010 the company Fasmetrics won the award for providing innovative diagnostic electromagnetic measurements.
The 10 entrepreneurs short-listed for the 4th "Stelios Award - Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece 2011"
A few days before the final selection of the winner by Stelios Haji-Ioannou for the KOUROS Awards of Leshi Epihirimatikotitas, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation announced the shortlist.
The 10 entrepreneurs short-listed for the Stelios Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece - 2011 are:
- Dimitris Alexandrou, Panayiotis Gkouvas and Thanasis Bouras of Ubitech from Athens – research and development of innovative software systems.
- Maria & Panayiota Vlachou of Fereikos Helix from Corinth - offering development and support to the burgeoning snail-breeding community
- Rebecca Pitsika of People for Business from Athens - a human resources agency offering targeted customized services for its executive clients
- Dimitris Glezos of Indifex from Patras - creating and providing innovative translation software.
- Michael Koumartzakis of Figame.gr from Athens - provides specialized online travel services.
- Achilles Kardis of Rapidbounce from Athens - business consultant and hotel management.
- S. Vlachos, P. Skliris. and C. Katirtzoglou of Clockwork Energy from Thessaloniki - providing alternative sources of energy.
- S. Michaloulis and N. Pavlakos of Orientum Career from Athens - specializes in providing personalized career advise.
- Asaf Eshel and Vangelis Pachoulos of Zazoo Event Rentals from Athens - a company specialized in equipment rental for events.
- George Karlaftis of Adus from Athens - provides sales and marketing services.
Congratulations to all the candidates!
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