A local business start-up which designs and manufactures pendant lights has been named a global winner in Xero’s Beautiful Business Fund.

Buzz Burrows won the ‘trailblazing with technology’ category, securing a NZ$70,000 cash prize.

Designer and owner Tony Burrows said the prize would help the small business “get things going”.

“It gives me a bit of breathing room to get materials and a laser cutter which will help with production.”

The Stria II, one of the Buzz Burrows designs, which combine art, functionality and a distinctly Kiwi feel.

Tony’s background working with lighting in the film and television industry has helped him in this creative venture, which combines his passion and knowledge of lighting with creating physical sculptural functional objects which people can enjoy.

“I create designs and I want them to have a New Zealand feel,” he said.

“They are art pieces; I want people to enjoy them as art, plus it creates ambience and has function as well.”

Tony started Buzz Burrows before Covid-19, but he has only “really focused” on it in the last two years.

He said the ability, with the prize money, to purchase a laser cutter, will  “turbo charge” workflow, reduce fabrication time and waste, and improve design file sharing.

Buzz Burrows was one of four global winners across four categories in the Xero Beautiful Business Fund which had more than 5,500 applications across seven countries.

Find out more about Buzz Burrows here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App