Monaco, 15 May 2025 – Entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the easy family of brands, has launched the first edition of the Stelios Foundation Young Entrepreneur Awards in Monaco and the Riviera, recognising five standout startups with a total prize fund of €100,000.
The awards ceremony, held at the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall in Monaco, highlighted the potential of young founders under 35 whose companies are contributing to the local economy. While €70,000 was distributed in cash prizes, an additional €30,000 in advertising support was provided by Riviera Radio to help winners scale their visibility.
“We had originally planned to award three winners, but the quality was so high that we added two additional joint fourth-place prizes,” said Sir Stelios. The inaugural edition drew 29 applications from Monaco and the South of France.
Top prize for Monaco-based engineer
The €30,000 first prize went to Yacine Bayar, founder of Sianatech, an engineering and industrial maintenance firm in Fontvieille. “It’s not a flashy startup, but this award validates what we do,” Bayar said, adding that the funds will be invested in online marketing and recruitment.
Second place for a creative yacht stay concept
Félix Nacach (27) received €20,000 for Bed Boat, an innovative business offering affordable overnight yacht stays in ports like Monaco and Cannes. “Our guests get the boat experience at a fraction of the price. This support will take us further,” said Nacach.
Video creator wins third place
Sébastien Perez, founder of Sez Productions in Cannes, won €10,000 for his film company which counts Netflix, Amazon, and Ritz-Carlton among its clients. The funds will support drone acquisition, hiring, and expanded social media services.
Honorable mentions for originality
Two €5,000 fourth-place prizes were awarded for exceptional creativity:
- Raphael Mena, founder of GOYA, a Spanish restaurant in Nice, plans to invest in an in-house charcuterie lab and homegrown produce to deepen the restaurant’s authenticity.
- Lauren Aubert, 25, owner of LAU Monte Carlo, a rotating concept store for fashion and decor, will use the prize to build an e-commerce platform and potentially expand to a larger retail space. “Starting a business in Monaco isn’t easy,” she noted. “This award makes the impossible feel possible.”
A mission to empower young business leaders
The Stelios Foundation is entirely funded by royalties from the easyGroup brand network. “Supporting young entrepreneurs is one of the best ways to give back,” said Sir Stelios.
The event coincided with the launch of MCBC III, a sleek new business center at Port Hercule offering coworking space for Monaco’s startup ecosystem — a further sign that the Principality is investing in its next generation of innovators.
