"A special thank you goes to CleanEquity's regional host, the Monaco Chamber of Economic Development and we express also our deepest gratitude to the artist Michael Joo for his generosity in agreeing to create the awards for CleanEquity Monaco 2010." Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou remarked, "Through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, I am delighted to be launching the Award for Young Clean-Tech Entrepreneur to be presented at CleanEquity Monaco this year. The €10,000 award will support young entrepreneurs who are passionate and committed to finding innovative applications for clean technology. I join the other sponsors and collaborators of CleanEquity 2010 in wholeheartedly supporting this important event, empowering entrepreneurs to make a difference." Presenting companies include:  

CleanEquity's focus is traditionally on the technology of the presenting companies. There will be a presentation by the Singapore Economic Development Board on the subject of business development opportunities and a presentation by Dr. Barry Bruce, professor of biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology at the University of Tennessee, on recent breakthroughs in the field of bio-energy. There will also be sessions with, Jigar Shah of the Carbon War Room, Peter Head of Arup, Henrik Fisker, Paul Clements-Hunt, Kirsty Hamilton, Dr. David Jhirad, Gerard Waldron and Dr. Julia Balandina.  Vehicles being displayed at CleanEquity Monaco 2010 include, Riversimple's Mk 1 urban vehicle, Tesla's Roadster hybrid vehicle, Sweden's Lulea University of technology's Baldos II and Urban Car's little electric Citadine. Delegates who have not registered are reminded to do so at: www.cleanequitymonaco.com

Sir Stelios spoke  to the students at their career day, teaching them about the importance of entrepreneurs and the role they will have to play in helping economies across the world recover from the financial crisis. He also discussed the importance of giving back to society, which can take many forms, depending on one's skills and interests. After the speech, Stelios held an informal 'Coffee with Stelios' where members of the press were able to quiz him and get to know the previous winners of the Stelios Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece - Brian Karey from Simply Burgers and Dimitris Mpanis from ZooBytes.

Stelios said:

"I really enjoyed returning to the Doukas School and speaking with the kids. Tomorrow's entrepreneurs are formed in schools today. My interest in business came from the conversations my family used to have around the dinner table. Hopefully, some of the children who are listening will one day start their own businesses and become the kind of innovative and dynamic young entrepreneurs who apply for the Stelios Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece."