Sir Stelios launches €500,000 awards to support cross-border business on Island of Ireland.
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has announced a major new initiative to encourage entrepreneurship across the Irish border, offering €500,000 in prizes to businesses that operate in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The North-South Business Cooperation Awards will recognise 18 entrepreneurs across nine teams who have started businesses within the past five years and are now trading cross-border.
“When businesses from both sides of the border collaborate, they do more than drive economic growth; they build trust, create lasting jobs, and strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities”
The initiative, launched on June 18, aims to celebrate cross-border entrepreneurship and strengthen economic ties on the island of Ireland.
Sir Stelios, creator and owner of the Easy family of brands including EasyJet, EasyHotel, EasyHistory and others, also runs the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.
The awards draw inspiration from similar business awards run by the Stelios Foundation in Cyprus for the past 16 years, which reward Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs engaged in joint business ventures.
Toward lasting peace and economic prosperity
“These Awards represent more than just recognition – they embody a commitment to building a better, more connected future on the island of Ireland,” Sir Stelios said.
“When businesses from both sides of the border collaborate, they do more than drive economic growth; they build trust, create lasting jobs, and strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities. We are working for lasting peace and economic prosperity on the island of Ireland.”
“Just as easyJet brought people together across Europe, these Awards bring businesses together across the island of Ireland – empowering them to grow, hire and contribute to a stronger all-island economy. I look forward to meeting the finalists and recognising their achievements at Castle Leslie in October 2025,” he added.
The connection to Ireland runs deep for Sir Stelios and easyJet. As owner of the then-young start-up airline, he launched the first flight from Luton airport to Belfast just months after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Today, easyJet is the market leader among airlines in Belfast, with seven in 10 passengers flying with the carrier.
The awards ceremony will take place at Castle Leslie Estate in Co. Monaghan on Thursday, 30 October, 2025. The venue was chosen for its symbolic location close to the border, honouring the spirit of cross-community partnership. Sir Stelios will personally present the awards and meet the finalists.
“Cross-border business partnerships can play a powerful role in promoting peace, prosperity and shared understanding,” said Ian Jeffers, chief executive of Co-operation Ireland.
“These awards recognise that co-operation is not just a shared ideal – it’s a powerful driver of real economic progress. Sir Stelios’ commitment to backing ambitious entrepreneurs across the island is both timely and inspiring. By supporting ventures that operate beyond traditional boundaries, we’re helping to embed lasting economic ties that benefit communities North and South.”
Applications are now open for cross-border business entrepreneurs that meet the criteria.
Image at top: Tracy Ghori, co-ordinator at the Stelios Foundation; Daniel Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to the US, UK, Germany and Malaysia; and and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the Easy family of brands and founder and president at the Stelios Foundation. Photo: Robbie Reynolds
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