Xero, a global small business platform, announced the 28 small business and non-profit winners of the 2024 Xero Beautiful Business Fund, each winning a share of a R8,000,000 global prize pool. The winners represent a diverse group of organisations committed to driving meaningful change and redefining what’s possible in the field they operate in.
Winners from South Africa, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the US were selected based on a 90-second video demonstrating how they would use the funding to support their future business goals. Xero small business and non-profit customers could enter under four categories: Innovating for environmental sustainability, Trailblazing with technology, Strengthening community connection and Upskilling for the future.
Colin Timmis, Country Manager Xero South Africa, said: “The stories of these self-made businesses are truly inspiring to watch. They embody the resilience and optimism that’s at the heart of South African small businesses. This year’s winners are doing incredible work, using technology to innovate and make a positive impact on their communities. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the fund and share your stories.”
The 24 country winners will each receive R250,000 and the four global winners will each receive R550,000. The four South African winners are as follows:
Innovating for environmental sustainability
House Harvest’s female-run, climate smart aquaponics farm produces fish and quality produce for its local community. Its low-carbon operation reuses 90% of its water while using fly larvae for sustainable fish feed. The funding will help build new storage areas, a mobile packhouse and more.
Gugulethu Mahlangu, Managing Director at House Harvest, said: “This support is not only a recognition of our hard work but a stepping stone toward making an even greater impact. With this funding, we will build a packhouse and integrate solar energy, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and nourishing our community with pesticide free foods. I sincerely thank Xero for believing in our vision and helping us take significant strides in our business to grow bigger and better.”
Trailblazing with technology
Atomedge creates some of the most advanced and medically accurate 3D anatomy models of the human body, for use in education, medical research, interactive applications such as gaming, as well as animation and illustration. The funding will help it purchase new computers, VR headsets and more.
Strengthening community connection
The Underdog Project is a non-profit that connects underprivileged youth and shelter dogs to inspire collective healing. It works with local youth to build life skills and teach humane education in conjunction with force-free dog training with shelter dogs. It will use the funding to establish a permanent peer-leader programme for previous graduates.
Upskilling for the future
ABEOD, an aviation advisory company and certified drone operator, uses innovative drone solutions for safer, streamlined operations that are accessible to diverse communities and industries. It will use the funding to help launch its drone school, expanding its reach to areas that need it most.