Xero, the online accounting software is challenging local innovators to build new apps using the cloud to benefit small businesses around the globe and to to put South Africa’s growing fintech industry firmly on the map.
Launched with Amazon Web Services, the virtual hackathon which is now live, will enable the region’s technology entrepreneurs to compete with other forward-thinking developers on a global scale. To take part, they need to develop an app that can sit within Xero’s global ecosystem of over 700 apps.
The winner will receive R62,720 and the opportunity to attend and exhibit their app at Xerocon the world’s largest conference for over 3,000 accountants and bookkeepers, taking place in London in November.
Previous winners of the developer app include Curve which consolidates wallets full of cards and receipts into just one card and Tax Optimiser, a financial tool used to analyse tax implications for small businesses.
Helping businesses thrive
Xero, which first launched in South Africa in May 2016, is now one of the fastest growing software companies globally, with 1.4 million subscribers around the world. In South Africa, the company is currently supporting tens of thousands of local small businesses, and a substantial support network of accountants.
The competition marks the first in a series of Xero-led initiatives created for the South African tech community, as it continues to help more businesses and their advisors thrive.
“Since Xero first set foot in South Africa, I’ve been really impressed by the strong entrepreneurial spirit amongst the small business community. It’s really important that they are supported in the right way; and given space to pursue their best ideas and to grow. That’s why it’s time to open up our global developer competition to a South African audience. Those that have won it elsewhere have instantly been able to propel their business, and compete at a global scale,” said Gary Turner, Managing Director, Xero EMEA.
