The global small business platform Xero has opened applications for its inaugural Xero Beautiful Business Fund, which is designed to celebrate small businesses, empower success and accelerate their growth.
The initiative is now open for submissions from Xero small business customers across Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the UK and the US. There will be more than $460,000 in funding available to support the future aspirations of small businesses globally.
In an effort to support small businesses and provide them an opportunity to receive funding to help them achieve the next level of success, Xero has created this initiative to shine a spotlight on four categories, including sustainability innovation, seamless technology integration, community enrichment and up-skilling endeavors.
There are low barriers to entry, and to apply, Xero small business customers will need to submit a 90-second pitch video and complete a brief written form for as many categories as they would like to enter.
Here's a breakdown of the categories:
- Innovating for sustainability — For small businesses who want to take the next step on their sustainability journey. For example, it could be to move to sustainable packaging, implement energy-efficient equipment or carbon neutral transport.
- Trailblazing with technology —For small businesses seeking to innovate. This could include digitalising parts of their operations or integrating new emerging technologies.
- Strengthening community connection — For small businesses or non-profits who strive to give back to their communities. It could be to contribute to philanthropy, social good or make an impact on the community in a meaningful way.
- Upskilling for the future — For small businesses seeking to support upskilling for themselves or their employees. This could include access to training and other professional development opportunities.
Each submission should be future-focused and detail how the funding would benefit the small business.
Xero CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy says supporting and celebrating small businesses and their owners is at the core of Xero’s mission. "We’re energised by the opportunity to empower these companies and trailblazers with funding that can help them achieve the next level of success. We already know that so many of our customers embody Xero’s values, and we’re pleased to be awarding funds to help our customers in an area like sustainability or upskilling, where they may not have had the cash to do so.”
A total of 28 regional winners, one from each region for each category, will be determined by regional judging panels before being put forward to the global judging panel to select the global winner for each of the four categories.
Submissions will close on Oct. 6, 2023, and winners will be announced later this year.
The full submission criteria, details and applications can be found at this official Xero website.
Disclosures:
Xero is a registered trademark of Xero Ltd., a New Zealand-based, OTCMKTS (XROLF) traded, technology company with headquarters in Wellington, New Zealand.
Feature content has been furnished by, or otherwise adapted from an official Xero press release provided by Pepper Communications on behalf of Xero. Source content adapted by Insightful Accountant is furnished solely for educational purposes.
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