KPMG's Private Enterprise practice today launched its annual survey of the most exciting technology innovators in the UK to take part in the 2024 Technology Startup Competition.
The pitching competition, which has been running since 2013, has uncovered great technologies from companies across the UK, including What3Words, VividQ and HiiROC, to win in the global final at Web Summit 2022.
KPMG's Tech Innovator in the UK competition is open to technology companies from early stage to accelerated growth and provides shortlisted companies with a platform to showcase their business, industry experts, peers and others. We offer exclusive networking opportunities with technology innovators. The national winners will represent the UK at the global finals at Web Summit later this year, pitching in front of an audience of industry experts and investors from around the world.
Last year, around 400 ambitious tech giants applied to a technology start-up competition, with St Helens-based Innovus Medical winning the final bid to use cutting-edge digital technology to solve the global surgeon shortage. The company won in recognition of its use of the technology it provides. surgical platform.
Commenting on the tournament, Euan West, Head of UK Private Enterprise at KPMG, said: Said: “For over 10 years, this technology startup competition has unearthed truly disruptive technologies across a number of sectors, from fintech, agritech, healthtech and, increasingly, cleantech. We're seeing real interest in the innovation coming from the UK and this competition provides an excellent platform to showcase and celebrate the great work of UK technology founders.
“As the tech hub ecosystem matures, we are seeing great homegrown innovation across the UK, and the roll call of past winners reflects the excellent talent on offer in cities across the UK. to see what hidden gems we uncover and how we can support these unicorns of tomorrow as they take their businesses to the next level and provide access to vital networks. , we look forward to the annual competition, and it's often great to see shortlisted founders connect with like-minded people and take energy from each other. If you are a founder who is looking for a company, I would like you to take advantage of this opportunity and apply to the competition.”
This competition is open to pure technology, technology-enabled, technology-driven, or technology-driven businesses. Shortlisted participants will be invited to pitch their innovation and present their growth plans to a panel of judges across eight regional heats. The winners of each regional stage will advance to the national finals to be held in London in July. The overall winner will represent the UK at the Web Summit later this year, where her KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator will be crowned by a global panel of judges.
Dr. Elliott Street, co-founder of last year's contest winner Innovus Medical, said: Added: “enter KPMGWinning Tech Innovator in the UK competition was valuable to our business. Providing a network of peers, great content, and exposure from his KPMG team really helped me “cut through the noise” and get noticed by the right people. If you're growing a technology company, staying ahead of the competition is a must as it attracts the best technology innovators from across the country. This competition is just the beginning and KPMG has been very supportive of our huge growth journey since joining the competition. ”
The hull-based HiiROC was crowned UK Tech Innovator 2022 and also won the global competition at Web Summit in Lisbon..
CEO Tim Davis; The player who made the winning pitch said: “The global competition is exciting for the HiiROC team and will bring innovation to the production of low-cost, zero-emission hydrogen to a much wider audience, including potential partners, suppliers, investors, advisors and policy makers. The competition was an impressive one, with great companies and inspiring leaders.
Applications for the UK competition are being accepted at https://kpmg.com/uk/en/home/services/private-enterprise/tech-innovator-in-the-uk.html.
Previous KPMG UK Tech Innovator winners
2023 – Innovus Medical
2022 – HiiROC
2021 – FIDO Tech
2020 – Vivid Q
2019 – Humming Bird Technologies (acquired by Agreena)
2018 – Echo (acquired by McKesson UK)
2017 – Safe to Net
2016 – What 3 Words
2015 – RefMe (acquired by education company Chegg, Inc.)
2014 – Babylon Health (acquired eMed Healthcare UK)
Sponsored by KPMG UK
