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Submission Deadline Approaching for Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award

The Hellenic Initiative Founding Conference with Bill Clinton
The Hellenic Initiative Founding Conference featured Bill Clinton as a guest speaker

• One month remains for Greek entrepreneurs to submit business proposals to The Hellenic Initiative’s award program
• Mentoring and funding of up to €500,000 available to winners
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 February 28, 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.
About The Hellenic Initiative:
Founded in 2012, The Hellenic Initiative (THI) is a global, non-profit, non-governmental secular institution whose mission, through the generosity of the Greek diaspora and philhellene community, is to develop sustainable economic and business improvement programs to empower the Greek people toward long term prosperity. We will do this by fostering the Greek entrepreneurial spirit and encouraging new business growth through the launch of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award. Future THI initiatives will support sustainable job growth and economic and social development, and influence positive change to strengthen Greece’s economy.
Oli Mazi – All Together.
Executive Committee Members of the Hellenic Initiative are:
• Andrew Liveris (Chairman), President, Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company
• George Logothetis, Chairman and CEO of the Libra Group
• Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company
• George David, Chairman of the Board of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company
• George Stamas, Senior Partner at Kirkland and Ellis LLP
Like THI on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheHellenicInitiative
Follow THI on Twitter: @THI_Hellenic
About The Libra Group
The Libra Group is an international business group with principal operations in five core sectors: shipping, aviation, real estate, hospitality and energy. Developed from a shipping business and owned by the Logothetis family, the Libra Group has 30 operating subsidiaries and operates from 23 offices across four continents. The group is distinguished by a combination of traditional values, new ideas and an agile mindset that allows it to take advantage of opportunities. For more information please visit www.libra.com
For further information please contact:
Maria Gatsou
V+O Communication, Athens
Office: +30 211 7501230
Mobile: +30 6937 089858
Email: mg@vando.gr
Chris Chrisafides
The Hellenic Initiative, U.S.
Office: 978.557.1752
Email: chris.chrisafides@thi.com

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