AwakenHub × Stelios Foundation North–South Business Cooperation Awards: Live Information Session & Q&A
AwakenHub × Stelios Foundation
North–South Business Cooperation Awards: Live Information Session & Q&A
Celebrate cross-border entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. Join AwakenHub CEO Clare McGee for an online information session on the Stelios North–South Business Cooperation Awards, with guest speakers Daniel Mulhall former Irish Ambassador to the US, UK, Germany and Malaysia.
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.
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.
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.
Essential Details for Applicants
Application Deadline: 16 September 2025 (by email to [email protected])
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.