Xero, the global small business platform, has announced the winners of its inaugural Xero Beautiful Business Fund, which aims to celebrate and support small businesses and non-profits across the world.
The fund’s categories and criteria
The fund was launched in August 2023, and invited Xero customers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom to apply for a share of the NZ$750,000 global prize pool. The applicants had to submit a 90-second video explaining how they would use the funding to support their future business goals in one of four categories:
- Innovating for sustainability
- Strengthening community connection
- Trailblazing with technology
- Upskilling for the future
The fund received more than 5,500 applications from a diverse range of small businesses and non-profits, showcasing their passion, creativity and resilience.
The judging process and panels
The fund’s winners were selected by regional and global judging panels, consisting of Xero’s senior leadership and global partner teams, as well as external industry leaders and experts. The judges evaluated the entries based on the following criteria:
- The clarity and quality of the video submission
- The alignment of the funding request with the chosen category
- The potential impact of the funding on the applicant’s business and community
- The feasibility and scalability of the applicant’s business plan
The four global winners will each receive NZ$70,000 (or equivalent), and the remaining 24 regional winners will each receive NZ$20,000 (or equivalent).
The global and regional winners
The fund’s global and regional winners were announced on 15 November 2023, and represent a variety of sectors and causes, such as food, music, education, health, environment and social justice. Here are the winners in each category and country:
Strengthening community connection
We Care Connect, a charity and volunteer organisation from Australia’s Central Coast and Hunter region, is the global winner in the ‘Strengthening community connection’ category. We Care Connect tackles childhood poverty in their local region by rehoming quality preloved children’s essentials with families who need them most, helping to positively impact the lives of an estimated 30,000 kids. This prize will fund the purchase of critical items that are rarely donated like newborn car seats, nappies, cot mattresses and more.
Additionally, the regional category winners are:
- Building Up (Canada)
- Toko Rugby Football Club (New Zealand)
- Art Outreach Singapore (Singapore)
- Oranjezicht City Farm Market (South Africa)
- The Together Project (UK)
- Rock Recovery (US)
Innovating for sustainability
Constantia Food Club, a South Africa-based food buying club that connects small local growers and producers directly with customers in Cape Town, is the global winner in the ‘Innovating for sustainability’ category. Constantia Food Club aims to support local regenerative farmers to help reduce biodiversity loss, promote sustainable food production and create a decentralised food system. They plan to use the fund to help build a new clubhouse, where they can serve more customers and provide additional support to growers and their local environment.
Additionally, the regional category winners are:
- Suitcase Records (Australia)
- More Granola (Canada)
- Kiwi Skips (New Zealand)
- Style Theory (Singapore)
- Oat Float (UK)
- Hand Me Up (US)
Trailblazing with technology
Buzz Burrows, a luminaire (pendant light) design and manufacturing business from Wanaka, New Zealand, is the global winner in the ‘Trailblazing with technology’ category. Buzz Burrows uses 3D printing technology to create customised and eco-friendly lighting solutions for homes and businesses. They plan to use the fund to upgrade their equipment, expand their product range and reach new markets.
Additionally, the regional category winners are:
- The Good Beer Co (Australia)
- The Green Beaver Company (Canada)
- The Mind Lab (Singapore)
- The Green House (South Africa)
- The Goodwash Company (UK)
- The Good Kitchen (US)
Upskilling for the future
The Good Literacy Agency, a UK-based social enterprise that provides literacy support and training to schools and communities, is the global winner in the ‘Upskilling for the future’ category. The Good Literacy Agency aims to improve literacy outcomes and life chances for children and young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. They plan to use the fund to develop and deliver a new online literacy programme for schools and families.
Additionally, the regional category winners are:
- The Mind Room (Australia)
- The Coding Space (Canada)
- The Mind Lab (New Zealand)
- The Coding Lab (Singapore)
- The Business School (South Africa)
- The Coding Space (US)
Xero’s support for small businesses and non-profits
Xero’s country manager for Australia, Will Buckley, said the company is proud to be able to give back and support small businesses and non-profits. “Innovation is fundamental to building a stronger and more prosperous small business economy,” he said in a statement.
Xero’s chief customer officer, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, congratulated the winners and thanked all the applicants for sharing their stories. “The amazingly diverse set of entries came from passionate people who are dedicated to solving problems and making a positive impact in their communities,” she said in a blog post.
Xero’s chief executive officer, Steve Vamos, said the fund is part of Xero’s commitment to help small businesses and non-profits thrive. “We believe that small businesses and non-profits are the backbone of our economies and communities, and we want to do everything we can to help them succeed,” he said in a press release.
