It was named both New Zealand and global winner in the technology category in what was a resounding success for the South.
Four New Zealand small businesses and non-profits won a share of the $750,000 global prize pool after demonstrating in a 90-second video how they would use the funding to support their future business goals in one of four categories — innovating for sustainability, strengthening community connection, trailblazing with technology and upskilling for the future. Three of those were from the South.
Buzz Burrows is a luminaire (pendant light) business owned by designer Tony Burrows, who was "beyond thrilled" by the double win which saw the business receive $70,000.
The company planned to enhance its manufacturing process with a state-of-the-art laser cutter, which would allow it to streamline manufacturing and reduce weight, he said.
"We’ve tested the market and we are ready to take the business from side hustle to main gig. Because we live a long way from markets and materials, we have to think laterally to be viable.
"Embracing new tech and using it to innovate is a fundamental part of our business strategy. The Xero Beautiful Business Fund will enable us to access digital tools that allow us to explore new materials and new designs," Mr Burrows said.
Waste management company Kiwi Skips, from Invercargill, won the sustainability category. The business was started by Dan and Kereana Butterfield five years ago, after they struggled to hire a skip for their own home renovation.
They found it concerning that construction waste was headed to the landfill as opposed to being separated for recycling, so they decided to find a solution.
They had been working hard to develop Southland’s first resource recovery facility for construction and demolition waste, so it could be diverted from landfill and recycled into other products that could be resold.
Having already sourced most of the equipment from recycled and repurposed materials, the Xero funding of $20,000 would assist with the construction needed to get the project off the ground.
The Toko Rugby Football Club, a fixture of the Milton community since 1900, won the community connection award. Committee member Ethan Harrex said the club’s vision was to broaden the club to include other sports like netball, squash and cricket, creating a community sports hub.
A big job required first was to upgrade the clubrooms, which the Xero fund would help achieve, Mr Harrex said.
Construction company Intricate Developments from Taumarunui won the upskilling for the future category.
