London, United Kingdom, Monday 1st June, 2026 – Kao Data, the specialist developer and operator of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, was presented with the ‘Best Community Engagement Award’ at the prestigious Datacloud Awards 2026, in Cannes.
The award, which recognizes Kao Data’s pioneering SEED Fund initiative and the impact it has had within the communities of Stockport and Harlow, beat off competition from six other international operators and consultancies to take home the prize.
The Kao SEED Fund, which stands for Social Enterprise and Environment Development Fund, aims to foster community growth and enterprise. The fund, which is run in partnership with local not-for-profit delivery bodies provides funding pots of between £500 – £2,500 to community groups, not-for-profit organisations and grassroots projects across the towns Kao Data operates in, supporting both ongoing initiatives or new projects within existing community groups or charities.
Between Stockport and Harlow, more than 35 projects have been supported. In Stockport, some of the successful projects include plastic donation stations for the innovative Plastic Shed organisation; funding for Reddish Men in Sheds to repair donated bikes for the community; courses run by the Siyanda Trust for the African community to help improve their lives; Marbury Road Edible Garden, in Heaton Chapel, ran therapeutic sessions for young people and Re:Dish in Reddish purchased a printing machine to create their own tote bags for their social supermarket.
In Harlow the wide-ranging projects included funding to support: a fully sustainable theatre production of Alice in Wonderland; a women-only boxing programme, free tuition for disadvantaged pupils and a forest garden for a Scout group.
Kao Data’s Director of Marketing, Lizzy McDowell, developed the SEED Fund from concept through to delivery and commented on the award win: “We are delighted to win the Best Community Engagement Award at the Datacloud Awards 2026. It’s acknowledgement that Kao Data’s team works tirelessly to ensure we have a positive, lasting impact on the communities in which we operate, so that we ensure everyone benefits from the investment in digital infrastructure.”
Vice President of Marketing at Kao Data, Adam Nethersole, commented: “The Kao SEED Fund was an idea we had that would provide genuine, local, grassroots support to people living and working around our facilities. It was made possible by the hardwork of Lizzy in our team, Carolyn Hughes at BreathePR and some amazing delivery organizations such as Sector 3 and Marketing Stockport in the Stockport area, and Harlow Town Council in Harlow. In winning this award we share our success with those individuals and organizations who have helped us do something really special.”