Submission Deadline Approaching For Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award

February 4, 2013

The deadline for submissions is fast approaching for the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award (HEA), an annual award program which offers entrepreneurs in Greece the chance to receive funding of up to €500,000 for a new business venture, plus comprehensive mentoring and consultancy. Both experienced and budding entrepreneurs have until 28th February 2013 to submit their business proposals. Entrants can come from any industry sector and simply need to submit a business plan via the award website (www.hellenicaward.com).

The award program, which was launched in November 2012 by The Hellenic Initiative (THI), aims to provide Greek entrepreneurs with the resources they need either to start a new business or to pursue a new idea if they are current business owners. The judges are looking for practical business start-up plans that demonstrate innovation, job creation, financial discipline and sustainability. Winning entries will show a clear path to job creation within Greece and emphasize the financial viability of their ventures.

“We have so far received a huge range of business plans that cover many sectors, from tourism to agriculture, software development, and alternative construction technology, and we want candidates to be aware that all ideas are welcome,” said Jimmy Athanasopoulos, Director of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award. “Innovation continues to be an important element and we look forward to reviewing more applications from keen entrepreneurs who believe they can be successful and become a symbol of hope to their fellow countrymen.”

The Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award panel of judges will announce between one and five winners in early April 2013 based on careful scrutiny of the merits of each application. Each winner’s mentor will be a senior business professional assigned from one of the Libra Group’s global businesses. Mentors will provide advice and guidance throughout every stage of the start-up process. Additional business support offered to winners includes legal, accounting, communications and IT consultancy services. Winning businesses will also be provided with funding of between €100,000 and €500,000 depending on how many winners are declared. The funds attract no interest or other charges and will need to be repaid within five years.

Eligible applicants:

• Private individuals who have a business idea, regardless of previous commercial experience
• Groups of people who may not yet be incorporated as a trading company
• Existing privately owned companies which can demonstrate that they have an all-new idea that is not a direct derivative of the company’s core activity and that cannot be adequately funded from the company’s existing resources.

The Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award is being funded and managed on behalf of the Hellenic Initiative by the Libra Group, a family owned international business group. The Libra Group has committed €5 million in business start-up funding for winners as well as comprehensive business support services and mentoring from experienced business leaders. Other supporters include the Australia-based property investment and development company, Jalouise Pty Ltd, which has contributed US$500,000 to the award program.

The Hellenic Initiative, which supports the award, is a non-profit, non-government organization comprising prominent leaders from the Greek global diaspora. THI’s focus is on jobs and philanthropy and it is undertaking a number of economic development programs designed to encourage entrepreneurship and investment in Greece.

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