Fund returns for second year; over $460,000 in funding available for Xero small
business customers globally
DENVER, July 9, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Xero, the global small business platform,
today announced the return of the Xero Beautiful Business Fund for
2024 — an initiative offering more than $460,000 in funding to support small businesses
and non profits with their growth plans and help drive future
success.
Entries for the Xero Beautiful Business Fund are officially open
to Xero small business customers in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New
Zealand, Singapore,
South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States. The entry period will close
on August 27, 2024 NZT.
Xero small business customers will need to complete an online
form and record and submit a 90-second pitch video to the
competition website for as many categories as they would like to
enter:
- Innovating for environmental sustainability — For a small
business or non profit who wants to take the next step in their
environmental sustainability journey by: minimizing their own
environmental impact; enhancing the sustainability of current
products or services; or developing new environmentally friendly
products or services.
- Trailblazing with technology — For a small business or non
profit that has a 'future focus' mindset and is seeking to
innovate. These organizations want to set the pace and lead the
charge using new and emerging technologies.
- Strengthening community connection — For a small business or
non profit that has a mission or purpose rooted in serving their
communities and making a positive impact. It could be to make a
difference in the community they serve, support underserved or
marginalized groups or contribute to social good through innovative
ideas or solutions.
- Upskilling for the future — For a small business or non profit
that wants to overcome a skills gap, either through upskilling
themselves or their employees. These organizations see a path
forward with greater access to training and professional
development.
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Xero
CEO, said: "We're thrilled to offer the Xero Beautiful Business
Fund again in 2024. As a global judge last year, getting to hear
first hand from our small business customers about their ideas and
aspirations was a rewarding experience that reminded me of the
resilience, drive and determination it takes to be a business
owner. The fund is a chance to reflect on our purpose to make life
better for small businesses, their advisors and communities around
the world and provide meaningful support so our customers can
fulfill their dreams or take that next big step with
confidence."
The Xero Beautiful Business Fund was first launched on
July 6, 2023 to coincide with Xero
Day, the company's anniversary. As Xero celebrates its 18th
anniversary this year, the Xero Beautiful Business Fund serves as a
way to celebrate small businesses and help them achieve their
dreams.
The 2023 global winners from Australia, South
Africa, New Zealand and the
UK represent a group of small businesses and non profits passionate
about solving problems and making an impact in their local
communities. They cover a diverse range of businesses such as: a
charity and volunteer organization tackling childhood poverty, a
food buying club connecting local growers and producers to
customers, a lighting design and manufacturing business and a
platform with a community of highly skilled makers offering
specialist wardrobe alteration and repair services.
Shahir Daud, Founder, Director
and Executive Producer at SuvaNova, a global film production and
animation company, and a 2023 U.S. winner in the Trailblazing with
technology category shared: "We promptly utilized the Xero
Beautiful Business Funds for both tangible and intangible needs. We
invested in essential new hardware, such as a real-time gaming
engine and AI processing computer, and upskilled our designers in
advanced AI and graphic technologies - both of which are crucial
for our long-term success."
Regional and global prize winners
The total prize pool offering of more than $460,000 will be shared among 28 winners. There
will be four winners from each country (one in each category),
determined by local judging panels, and each winner will receive
$12,500. Of those winners, four will
become global winners, determined by a global judging panel, and
each global winner will receive an additional $30,000.
For full criteria, details on how to enter and 2023 winner
profiles, please visit the Xero website. Entries will close on
August 27, 2024 NZT and winners will
be announced at the end of October
2024.
About Xero
Xero is a global small business platform with 4.2 million
subscribers. Xero's smart tools help small businesses and their
advisors to manage core accounting functions like tax and bank
reconciliation, and complete other important small business tasks
like payroll and payments. Xero's extensive ecosystem of connected
apps and connections to banks and other financial institutions
provide a range of solutions from within Xero's open platform to
help small businesses run their business and manage their finances
more efficiently.
Media Contact
Lauren Kido, Xero, 1 8568994882,
press@xero.com, Xero.com
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SOURCE Xero