THE 2009 STELIOS HAJI-IOANNOU AWARD HAS BEEN LAUNCHED

Stelios Supports Greek Young Entrepreneurs

For the second year in a row, the eponymous Stelios Haji-Ioannou Award will provide generous support to rising stars of entrepreneurship in Greece. The Award is given to young entrepreneurs who have recently started a high-growth business. It is organized under the auspices of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Association which also include the Kouros Award for the Greek Entrepreneur of the Year, won by Stelios himself more than a decade ago. ALBA Graduate Business School organizes the Awards' administration and research. The Award's prize of €50,000 is a practical expression of his support for innovative entrepreneurship in Greece, where Stelios himself was born and went to school.

Stelios, the self-confessed ''serial entrepreneur'' best known as the founder of easyGroup, explains the philosophy behind this initiative: “I have started more businesses than most people and I understand all about risk and reward. Some of my ventures have been more successful than others but I am still around since I believe one should only place bets one can afford to lose. But the world, in these times of unprecedented economic crisis for generations needs more people like you and me… We create the much needed jobs that fuel the economy! …In the same spirit I want to be there to support the next exciting, innovative, entrepreneurial start up business in Greece.”

Strong candidates for the Stelios Haji-Ioannou Award are new, young entrepreneurs who were able to spot a great opportunity, found innovative ways of making sense of it, and took personal risks, before finally launching it and generating above average growth rates. Candidates can be active in any entrepreneurial field, but must be based in Greece. Last year's participants covered a wide range of entrepreneurial activity; X-treme sports, cosmetics manufacture and retail, IT consulting, and niche media, as well as the ultimate winners ''Simply Burgers'' from the fast food industry.

Candidate Application Forms can be submitted to ALBA Graduate Business School anytime during the year, until the Award's closing date of October 6^th 2009.