Today, on 30th October 2025, at Castle Leslie, County Monaghan, Republic of Ireland, the Stelios Foundation hosted the inaugural North-South Business Cooperation Awards ceremony.
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has awarded €500,000 in prizes to support entrepreneurs and celebrate cross-border entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. 👏
🎉 Top Prize went to Sam Shephard founder of Juice Jar, receiving a €150,000 cash grant to support the growth of his company.
Further congratulations to the silver winners (€100,000 prize):
🥈 Barry Sherry and Declan McDonald of ACEL Energy.
🥈 Gráinne Mullins founder of Grá Chocolates and Louise Doyle co-founder of needi, a joint application.
And to our bronze winners, receiving €25,000 cash prize🎉
🥉 Nick Cotter and Jack Cotter, two brothers who founded Cotter Agritech.
🥉 Jack Hutton of Good Friday Robotics Ltd and Anthony Hutton of Subterranean.ie, a joint application.
🥉 Conor Brogan and Ryan Brogan another brother duo of Arcus Cleaning Systems.
🥉Richard Marles founder of PARK LiFE PET LIMITED.
🥉 Patricia Cullen of Ovascan | Fertility Ultrasound and Katrina McCarthy of New Beginnings, joint application.
🥉James Bojdo founder of MediNect Ophtho and Cormac Flynn of Suil Pharmaceuticals.
Sir Stelios said ‘The winners we honour today show that when determination, innovation and creativity meet, borders become bridges. These entrepreneurs are not only building successful businesses – they are proving that collaboration across communities leads to prosperity for all.’ 👏
Selected out of 49 applicants, the winners went through a three-stage selection process, including an interview with Sir Stelios.🚀
These awards highlight the importance of entrepreneurship in driving progress and creating opportunities.
Huge congratulations to all the winners! 👏
