The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has officially launched the 2026 Young Entrepreneur Awards in Monaco and the French Riviera, offering a total of €60,000 in cash prizes to support emerging business leaders…
Now in its second year in the region, the initiative is spearheaded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the easy family of brands, and aims to encourage innovation, growth and job creation across Monaco and the South of France.
The competition is open to entrepreneurs born in 1992 or later who run a company registered in Monaco or the French Riviera that has been established within the past five years and generates at least €50,000 in annual revenue. Applicants must also be company directors and majority shareholders, owning more than 50 per cent of their business.
Three winners will share the prize fund, with €30,000 awarded to the overall winner, €20,000 for second place and €10,000 for third. The funding is intended to be reinvested directly into the winning businesses, helping them scale and develop further.
Applications are available via the Stelios Foundation website and must be submitted by 5:00pm CET on April 15, 2026. The winners will be revealed by Sir Stelios at a dedicated ceremony on May 21 at the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall in Monaco, highlighting the Principality’s growing role as a hub for entrepreneurial talent.
Image: Stelios Foundation