Xero, the global small business platform, has announced the US winners of the 2024 Xero Beautiful Business Fund. Four small and medium-sized businesses in the United States were selected as winners, as were companies from around the world, each receiving a portion of the global prize pool of $460,000. The Fund’s award recipients represent a diverse group of organizations committed to driving meaningful change and redefining possibilities in the business sector.
Winners were selected based on a 90-second video demonstrating how they will use the funds to support their future business goals. Xero’s SME and non-profit customers can apply based on four categories: innovating for environmental sustainability, pioneering with technology, strengthening community connections and upskilling for the future .
Each country’s winner will receive $12,500.
Organizations recognized in the United States include:
Innovation for environmental sustainability: Sea Quester Farms’ regenerative kelp farms strengthen ocean health and local food systems through sustainable food production, habitat restoration, and training of future kelp farmers. Supported. This funding will help them bring new and innovative kelp-based foods to market. Pioneer through technology: Ocean Conservation Research is a scientific research and education eNGO that conducts research, education, and campaigns on ocean acoustics to advance national and international environmental law and scientific standards. The funding will support the development of new signal processing technology to display whales on screens in ships’ wheelhouses to prevent whale-ship collisions. Strengthening community connections: Chicago Tool Library is a nonprofit library that lends thousands of items for home repair, gardening, camping, and more in an affordable and sustainable way. They plan to use the funds to expand community programs, purchase in-demand items and increase staff capacity. Skill up for the future: Kendra Baker Veterinary Relief Services provides short-term, on-site veterinary care to zoos, aquariums, and wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Xero’s funding will be used to help Dr. Kendra Baker obtain her ACZM (American College of Zoological Medicine) certification, advance her skills, and improve the care provided.
Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, CEO of Xero, said: “Xero is proud to support all of the 2024 Xero Beautiful Business Fund winners. Your passion, ambition and commitment to community truly embody the spirit of the Fund. Congratulations to all of you who have shared your stories and inspired us as we pursue our purpose of improving the lives of small businesses, their advisors, and communities around the world. We would like to thank all applicants.”
This year’s 28 country winners of the fund were selected by a panel of five judges from each country. This year’s U.S. judges included Ben Richmond, managing director of North America at Xero; Shahir Daud and Shivali Gulab, founders of SuvaNova, last year’s U.S. regional winner of the Xero Beautiful Business Fund; Claire Van Holland, Principal, CV Ledger. Sarah Prevost, Founder of Mintage Labs. and Krista Simpson, Project Coordinator at Xero.
To find out more about the 2024 winners, visit the Xero website.
