Sir Stelios Hatziioannou presented the Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs in Greece at the new premises of his Foundation, on Kydathinaion Street in Plaka
They are young, they have great ideas and above all they put them into practice by creating companies with original activity. Three of these young entrepreneurs were awarded today at noon by the Sir Stelios Hatziioannou Foundation, in the context of the Stelios Awards for young entrepreneurs in Greece, awards that are now an institution for young entrepreneurship, as they were awarded for the 14th year, however, having this year a first, as the awards ceremony took place in its new conference center Stelios Foundation. The Stelios Foundation Conference Halls, is housed in the emblematic building owned by the Foundation, at 22 Kydathinaion Street, in Plaka and there Sir Stelios Hatziioannou presented the three awards of total amounting to 100,000 euros to entrepreneurs under 40 years of age.
The first prize, accompanied by a cash prize of 50,000 euros, was awarded by Dafni Behtsi, founder of the Cinobo.com streaming platform. He received the second one, with a cash prize of 30,000 euros youtuber Christos Tsounis for his company Financial Greekswhile he received the third prize, amounting to 20,000 euros Yiannis Chocholis, with the e-shop aithrio.gr.
Sir Stelios Hatziioannou welcomed the guests of the Foundation to the new conference center – where the iconic “Zygos” of Plaka was once housed – on the roof of the building, in fact, from next May the summer Cine-Paris will be open. Mr. Hatziioannou, who at the age of 27 founded easyjet – to follow a whole “family” of easy companies, explained his business philosophy, but also the way he divides his time – one third of the easy brands family, a third in other investments and a third in giving back to society. But always, as he said, “close to home”, which in his case is Greece, Cyprus, Great Britain and Monaco. With a video he described the history and course of easy and did not fail to note that his good idea for easy jet was appreciated by his father, Lukewho financially supported the venture – “if I didn’t have a rich dad, I would have opened a steakhouse – he said characteristically to connect the support he had from his family with the support he offers through his Foundation to young entrepreneurs – if and business awards are just one part of the Stelios Foundation’s actions: Scholarships – at the LSE and Cass City University of London, but also at Duke’s School, the school from which he graduated, offering snacks to tens of thousands of people in need, but also extraordinary activities such as the financial aid of 10,000 euros to the families of the victims of Tempe, are some of them.In fact, as part of the actions, the conference space of the Foundation will be available free of charge to recognized charitable organizations to host their own events related to with their activity.
But the spotlight in the packed room turned on the three award winners, who emerged from among 46 young entrepreneurs who had submitted nominations. Dafni Behtsi, founder of the Cinobo.com platform, received the first prize. Cinobo is the first Greek subscription video on demand service, it operates in Greece and Cyprus and is aimed at cinema lovers, giving them access to selected films, awarded by major international festivals. In the next three years, Cinobo aims for maximum penetration in the Greek and Cypriot markets and to subsequently expand to other European markets. Cinobo operates with a monthly subscription that can be suspended at any time. Dafni Behtsi said about her award: It is very honorable to see your work and that of your team recognized. The award gives us even more strength and brings us one step closer to our goal. To prove that Cinobo has a place beyond the borders of Greece. Let’s go make the best cinema available to everyone and abroad.” It must be noted that in the context of an agreement between Mr. Hatziioannou and Dafni Behtsis The historic summer cinema Cine Paris will reopen next May under the management of the Bechtsis family and under the supervision of Cinobo. At the same time, marketing collaboration between easyCinema.gr is launched (belongs to the easy family of brands) and cinobo.com with the aim of further developing them in Greece and Cyprus with esyCinema.com.cy.
The second prize went to Christos Tsounis for his company Financial Greeks. It is a digital marketing and influencing platform aimed at strengthening the financial and investment culture in Greece. It now represents more than 50 financial creators across Europe, while it has 40 different partners and sponsors with penetration in the markets of Greece, Poland and Serbia, while it is gradually entering other markets such as those of France, Germany, the United Kingdom . “It is a great honor for me to be awarded for the second consecutive year by sir Stelios Hatziioannou. The Stelios Award 2023 is a distinction that recognizes my commitment to promoting business, financial and investment culture, both in Greece and throughout Europe.
The third prize, in the amount of 20,000 euros, went to Yiannis Chocholis, with the e-shop aithrio.com. It is an online store with home goods that offers complete solutions through a wide variety of products and services for the decoration and functionality of the home. Yiannis Chocholis, in turn, thanked Mr. Hatziioannou and his colleagues and added: “I believe that the businesses that stand out are the ones that don’t stop trying and offering. Today I think that our effort is being rewarded”.
“I am very happy that for another year we awarded and honored young entrepreneurship”said in turn the sir Stelios Hatziioannou and added: “The applications we received were truly impressive and filled us with optimism that young entrepreneurs in Greece are full of passion, vision and imagination. And this is something that personally moves me. I wish the awardees to continue their activities with the same passion and dynamism. The Stelios Awards for Young Entrepreneurs will continue to firmly support the effort of young entrepreneurship in Greece and remain relevant, as I personally will remain next to young entrepreneurs. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. This year we received 46 applications, which made choosing the top three very difficult. I encourage candidates to apply next year as well if they meet the criteria. Two of the three winners this year have won our awards again and I am particularly pleased to be giving them a better award this year as they have progressed in recent years. None of these three businesses would have been possible 10 years ago, as they are all “new economy” businesses, while two of them did not even exist 3-4 years ago.”
Source: Skai
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