Applications close for Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award 2017

February 23, 2017

– 1250 participants in this year’s award

– The judging process begins

The fifth cycle of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award (HEA) has closed for entries with a record number of entrepreneurs applying – almost 15% more than in 2016. This year more than 1250 budding and experienced entrepreneurs are competing for a share of the €1,250,000 in prize funding as well as mentorship and a wide range of business support services offered by the HEA and its network of supporters. Created in 2012 by the Libra Group on behalf of The Hellenic Initiative, the award programme has so far declared 14 winners and created many hundreds of jobs across Greece.

Among HEA 2017 entrants, digital, creative and information services have the strongest representation (22% of applicants), with tourism coming second (14%). There are several business sectors that gathered an unexpected number of submissions this year, such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and special needs education. Also noteworthy for HEA 2017 is a broader regional participation with almost 35% of entries coming from Western Greece, Central Macedonia and Crete.

Commenting on this year’s entries, Alexandros Nousias, Director of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award, stated: “The fifth cycle of entries for the award has just closed and we look forward to in-depth analysis of these entrepreneurs and their business plans. While Greece faces economic and social challenges, there are still people who dare to chase their dreams and make a difference and we would like to thank each and every one of them. Now it is time for the panel of judges to undertake the difficult task of deciding which business plans stand the best chance of succeeding and making a contribution to the Greek economy.”

This year’s competition was enhanced with an intensive educational programme by the HEA that included start-up training events throughout Greece and an interactive tutorial webinar. The aim of the programme was to encourage greater participation in the award and to support contestants during the application process. “We wanted everyone, irrespective of their business experience, to be in with a chance of winning an award and realizing their dreams,” added Nousias.

Finalists of HEA 2017 will be announced in May and winners will be announced in early June 2017, during the award ceremony.

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