Yesterday, July 6, was the first annual Xero Day, which the accounting software company launched for its 15-year anniversary. The day will be marked annually with celebrations for the people, customers, partners and communities who have played an important role in Xero’s success.
Xero started with 50 employees in New Zealand. Because the model was SaaS-based from the beginning, founder Rod Drury knew he needed an investment for $15 million (N.Z.) to get through the first three years. Until then, the largest VC funding venture in New Zealand didn’t top $3 million. So, founder Rod Drury took the company to IPO early.
Today, Xero boasts 3,600 staff and millions of customers globally.
Often billing itself as “beautiful” accounting software, Xero took an interest in excellent user interfaces from the start. The company also prides itself on being built in the cloud for the cloud.
“Fifteen years is crazy … we always knew [Xero] would be big. It had that feel from the start,” said Drury in an
“Today, July 6, 2021, marks a special day for Xero,” remarked Vamos yesterday in a statement. “Fifteen years ago, our founder Rod Drury and the founding Xero team took some of the first steps to bring the vision of accounting software in the cloud to life, creating a scalable, purposeful, global Software as a Service (SaaS) business from New Zealand. From our beginnings at a kitchen table in a Wellington apartment, to offices in more than 20 cities around the world, it’s been quite a journey. A journey built on the support and belief of our bookkeepers, accountants, the broader Xero partner community and our people.”
To mark the inaugural Xero Day, Xero is giving back to the communities in which it operates by contributing to impactful community causes. Xero is donating N.Z. $15,000 (approximately $10,500 U.S.) to each of the eight charities supported through its
The charities are; Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) globally; Beyond Blue in Australia; Women’s Refuge in New Zealand; Save the Children in Asia; Advancement Project in the United States; Black Business Professional Association in Canada; Samaritans in the U.K.; and Won Life in South Africa.
“We’re proud to support these organizations that align with our purpose — to improve the lives of people in small businesses, their advisors and communities all around the world,” Vamos added in a statement. “These charities help people in their communities build mental health and resilience; access frontline COVID-19 support; progress racial equality and justice; provide safe harbour for women facing domestic abuse; and equip under-resourced teachers to deliver quality education.”
