Total prize fund of €500,000
Live Online Information Session & Q&A
Cross-border entrepreneurship is at the heart of innovation on the island of Ireland. This September, AwakenHub invites founders and business leaders to a special online information session introducing the Stelios North–South Business Cooperation Awards—with a total prize fund of €500,000 in cash prizes.
Hosted by AwakenHub CEO Clare McGee, the event will feature contributions from Daniel Mulhall (former Irish Ambassador to the US, UK, Germany and Malaysia) and Lorraine Higgins of Rockwood PR, which advises the Stelios Foundation. Together, they will explain the Awards in detail and answer your questions directly.
About the initiative
Inspired by similar award programmes in Cyprus, Greece and the UK, the Awards are part of the Stelios Foundation’s mission to give back in places where Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family have lived and worked. The Awards are run in partnership with Cooperation Ireland, a leading all-island peace-building charity.
Why attend?
These prestigious Awards recognise entrepreneurs whose ventures bridge Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: advancing innovation, job creation and lasting cooperation. With a total prize fund of €500,000, they offer both recognition and tangible support for ambitious founders.
What you will learn
Eligibility, assessment criteria and key dates.
How to strengthen a cross-border proposition.
Practical tips for a standout application.
Live Q&A with speakers.
Seats are limited—registration essential.
👉 Register now
👉 Download the application form: stelios.ie or stelios.foundation
Application deadline: Tuesday 16 September 2025, 5:00pm (local time).
Do not miss this information session with live Q&A. Secure your place today.
Pictured at the launch of the North-South Business Cooperation Awards at Monaghan Peace Campus were (L-R): Ian Jeffers, Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland, Tracy Ghori, Co-ordinator at the Stelios Foundation, Daniel Mulhall, Former Irish Ambassador to the US, UK, Germany and Malaysia and William Haire, Advisor to the Stelios Foundation and on screen Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou
Essential Details for Applicants
Application Deadline: 16 September 2025 (by email to maya.turnbull@stelios.com)
Awards Ceremony: 30 October 2025 at Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan
Total Prize Fund: €500,000 in cash prizes
1 Gold Award: €150,000
2 Silver Awards: €100,000 each
6 Bronze Awards: €25,000 each
Eligibility Criteria:
Each company must be:
Preferably comprise of a company registered in the Companies Registration Office (CRO.ie) in Ireland and a company registered with Companies House (Belfast) with the registered office being in Northern Ireland.
Both companies must be start-ups incorporated in the last five years, 2019 or later.
Each company should have an entrepreneur, founder or shareholder who owns at least 50% of the shares.
The two entrepreneurs must be working in a joint business activity on the island of Ireland, across any sector of the economy.
Each company must have a minimum annual turnover of €200,000 / £160,000 and must employ at least three other staff members, not including the owner.
Alternatively, companies can apply on their own (without a second team member) if they can demonstrate significant cross-border economic activity, including a customer base in both markets.