Twenty-eight Small Businesses Share SG$630,000 to Support Future Ambitions
Singapore, November 1, 2024 – Xero, the global platform for small businesses, has unveiled the 28 small businesses and non-profit organisations that have won the 2024 Xero Beautiful Business Fund. Each winner receives a share of the SG$630,000 global prize pool, designed to help drive their future aspirations. The winners reflect a variety of organisations committed to meaningful progress and reshaping what’s possible in their respective industries.
Selected from Singapore, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the US, the winners were chosen based on 90-second videos showcasing how they would utilise the funding to achieve their future goals. Small businesses and non-profits using Xero could enter under four categories: Innovating for Environmental Sustainability, Trailblazing with Technology, Strengthening Community Connection, and Upskilling for the Future.
Each of the 28 country winners will receive SG$15,000 (or equivalent in their local currency), and among them, four global winners will receive an additional SG$40,000 (or local equivalent).
Innovating for Environmental Sustainability
The Singapore winner in the Innovating for Environmental Sustainability category is Seven Clean Seas, an ocean impact organisation dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution and supporting coastal communities. Aiming to remove 10 million kilograms of plastic from the ocean by 2025, Seven Clean Seas is also focused on providing formal employment and fostering environmental awareness in these regions. The prize will support the purchase of washing equipment essential for cleaning recovered plastics, enabling greater efficiency and ensuring these materials can be repurposed.
Tom Peacock-Nazil, CEO and Founder of Seven Clean Seas, shared his gratitude, stating, “Winning the Innovating for Environmental Sustainability category for the Xero Beautiful Business Fund in Singapore is an honour. At Seven Clean Seas, removing large volumes of plastic waste from crucial ecosystems is vital. A major challenge we face is that much of this plastic is too contaminated for recycling. This grant will allow us to invest in a large-scale cleaning system at our materials recovery facility, significantly boosting our recycling capabilities. We’re incredibly thankful for this opportunity.”
Trailblazing with Technology
The Singapore winner for the Trailblazing with Technology category is Tack One, an Internet of Things (IoT) company committed to solving real-world issues related to environmental protection and location tracking. Tack One has developed a palm-sized, fully integrated flood-monitoring device designed to alert communities and authorities about rising water levels. The funding will support expanding the device’s reach to benefit more communities more rapidly.
Justin Zhang, Co-founder of Tack One, explained, “This funding is crucial for scaling up our production of FloodFinder devices to reach communities faster. Small businesses often face challenges in accessing resources to develop and share innovations broadly. The Xero Beautiful Business Fund provides essential support in both finance and visibility, helping us implement our technology more widely and quickly.”
Strengthening Community Connection
Foreword Coffee, a social enterprise aiming to mainstream disability and promote inclusion through its cafes, is Singapore’s winner in the Strengthening Community Connection category. With over 80% of employees identifying as having a disability or mental health condition, Foreword Coffee plans to use the funding to establish a training centre to upskill staff across various areas of the business.
Nadi Chan, Co-founder and Director of Foreword Coffee, commented, “This fund provides a critical boost, enabling us to deepen our community impact while offering team members new avenues for development. Recognition from Xero, a globally reputable company, also lends credibility to our efforts. It’s truly uplifting to have our work acknowledged in this way.”
Upskilling for the Future
In the Upskilling for the Future category, Two Men Bagel House, a popular chain of fast-casual eateries known for its handmade bagels, took the Singapore title. With plans for international expansion, the funding will help upskill their team with essential hard and soft skills to support the business’s growth abroad.
Clement Fu, Co-owner of Two Men Bagel House, said, “This fund is invaluable to us. It will help equip our key staff with skills to manage operations in new markets as we expand. Programmes like the Xero Beautiful Business Fund have an incredible impact on small businesses, providing both recognition and resources. Over a decade, revenue has largely supported our growth to five outlets. This recognition and support from Xero mean a great deal, and we’re thankful for this opportunity.”
Leaders’ Comment
Xero’s CEO, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, celebrated the winners, stating, “Xero is proud to support the 2024 Beautiful Business Fund winners. Their dedication and passion exemplify the purpose of this fund. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to every entrant for inspiring us in our mission to make life better for small businesses, their advisors, and communities globally.”
Koren Wines, Xero Asia’s Managing Director, added, “The calibre of entries this year highlights the ingenuity and resilience within Singapore’s small business sector. Having been a small business owner myself, I understand the challenges of today’s competitive environment. The Xero Beautiful Business Fund is our way of fostering the growth of small businesses in Singapore, helping build an inclusive, resilient, and innovative economy. Congratulations to all winners—we look forward to a collaborative future.”
Judging Panel
A panel of five judges made up of specialists in Singapore’s small business environment chose this year’s fund recipients. Panellists included Lee Yee Fung, Chief Smart Technologies Officer at Singapore Business Federation (SBF); Ken Leong, Director of 361 Degree Consultancy Group; Vicky Hwang, CEO of Chyau Fwu Wines & Spirits; and Koren Wines, Managing Director of Xero Asia.
