The Stelios Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Awards 2025 winners have been announced: three rising stars in future technologies and social housing construction.
Ayan Mohamed, an entrepreneur living in Manchester, has clinched the £150,000 top prize with her company Digitech Oasis. The business is already making waves in the tech industry by deploying autonomous robots aimed at enhancing business efficiency.
Ayan’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. At 17, she moved from Nairobi, Kenya, to the UK to pursue higher education at Leeds University. It was during her university years that she developed a passion for technology, teaching herself to code and eventually securing a competitive internship.
A self-funded trip to China exposed her to cutting-edge AI and tech innovations, which she brought back to the UK, laying the foundation for Digitech Oasis.
‘Manchester has really inspiring entrepreneurs. The whole collaborative spirit of the city is what makes it so great,’ Ayan remarked, explaining her decision to base her company in the city known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the first computer.
‘I want to build something big’
The £150,000 prize money will be instrumental in Ayan’s ambitious plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Manchester, aiming to employ around 100 people in the North West.
This move not only underscores her commitment to job creation but also her vision of transforming Manchester into a tech hub reminiscent of Silicon Valley.
‘I want to build something big with my business, and winning this award will really help us scale up and grow,’ she stated.
Ayan also looks forward to mentorship from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, expressing her excitement about the journey towards making Digitech Oasis Manchester’s next unicorn company.
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation’s Young Entrepreneur Awards, now in their second year, received an impressive 180 applications in 2025. The initiative, spearheaded by Sir Stelios, aims to support young entrepreneurs in the UK by providing substantial financial backing and mentorship.
‘Direct investment into future generations’
In second place, receiving £100,000, is Dorian Payne of Castell Group, a social housing development company based in South Wales.
Dorian’s entrepreneurial journey began with assisting his parents in their property ventures, eventually leading him to identify a gap in the market for affordable housing.
With over £200m worth of housing stock in the pipeline, Dorian plans to use the prize money to unlock more social housing projects, emphasising the long-term benefits of investing in permanent, safe housing solutions.
‘Investing in social housing is direct investment into future generations,’ he says. ‘If you manage to get people into permanent, safe housing, it reduces the cost of temporary accommodation for the government, which they spend billions a year on.
‘No one teaches you this stuff’
Third place and a £50,000 prize went to Andy Evangelou, founder of Plug In Stations. Starting his career as an electrician, Andy recognised the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
In 2019, he took the risk of establishing a business specialising in bespoke EV charging solutions for both domestic and commercial clients across the UK. The prize money will aid in acquiring a commercial unit, further solidifying Plug In Stations’ presence in the market.
As for his ongoing relationship with Sir Stelios, he finds it ‘unbelievable’ to just have an email chain with him.
‘For entrepreneurs, it’s quite a lonely place. It’s difficult. No one teaches you this stuff. Someone like Sir Stelios can actually help me massively.’
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship is evident through these awards. By offering not only financial support but also invaluable mentorship, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation aims to empower young entrepreneurs to become significant contributors to the UK’s economy.
The success stories of Ayan, Dorian, and Andy serve as a testament to the potential and resilience of young business minds in the UK.
More on The Stelios Foundation: UK, Greece, Cyprus and beyond
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou isn’t just a business mogul—he’s a philanthropist with a mission. Since 2010, the easyJet founder has donated more than €84 million through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, backing causes that range from education to environmental protection and entrepreneurship.
His foundation’s impact is widespread. In Greece and Cyprus alone, 35 million free snacks, worth a staggering €35 million, have been distributed to those in need since 2013.
Meanwhile, his commitment to education has seen €8.8 million allocated in scholarships, benefiting around 300 students at top universities such as the London School of Economics and City University.
Entrepreneurship remains at the heart of Sir Stelios’ vision. His foundation has awarded €7.2 million in cash prizes to support start-ups and job creation—an initiative that has helped ambitious business owners like Ayan Mohamed, Dorian Payne, and Andy Evangelou turn their visions into reality.
Beyond business, Sir Stelios is also tackling environmental challenges, having invested €2.5 million in sustainability initiatives in collaboration with WWF and the Prince Albert II Foundation.
All of this is made possible by the easyGroup empire, which funds these initiatives while continuing to launch new easy-branded businesses. With a legacy built on innovation and a philanthropic arm dedicated to giving back, Sir Stelios is proving that success isn’t just about profits—it’s about making a lasting impact.
Discover more about the charity at stelios.foundation
