Skip to main content

      13 May 2026, Hong Kong (SAR), China ("Hong Kong") – This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which sets out a clear vision for economic development. A key element of the plan is the rollout of the “AI+” action plan, designed to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence across all sectors of the economy and society, transforming the way people live and work.

      Against this backdrop, KPMG is proud to announce the official launch of the second “Future Entrepreneur Award”. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s awards introduce a new category – the “Pioneer AI Tech Future Entrepreneur” award – reflecting the growing importance of AI in driving business innovation. The judging criteria have also been updated, with a greater emphasis on innovation and alignment with national strategic priorities and industry trends.

      The Future Entrepreneur Award aims to recognise and celebrate the next generation of business leaders who are shaping the future through technology and visionary thinking. Registration opens today, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in October 2026.        

      Upgrades to 2026 edition following enthusiastic response to inaugural Awards

      The 2025 awards shone a spotlight on the innovation, leadership, and sustainable growth demonstrated by China’s private enterprises. Winners represented a diverse range of sectors – including advanced manufacturing, new energy, and digital transformation – and were recognised for their achievements in technological innovation, international expansion, and social responsibility. Their success has helped to spark wider conversations around succession planning and governance in the private sector, laying a strong foundation for this year’s awards.

      The Awards embody KPMG’s commitment to championing entrepreneurial talent and forward-thinking leadership. 

      Michael Jiang Reflecting on the first edition, Michael Jiang, Head of Clients and Markets at KPMG China, said:
      开引号

      The entrepreneurs of tomorrow are those who can navigate uncertainty and drive meaningful change in a rapidly evolving landscape. They combine ambition with deep industry expertise and a passion for innovation, building businesses that are resilient and future-ready.

      关引号

      AI in the spotlight with new award category

      As artificial intelligence evolves from general-purpose large models to industry-specific solutions, its impact on the real economy is becoming ever more significant. High-quality, sector-focused datasets are now emerging as the key factor in successful AI implementation, overtaking generic data repositories. As the focus of AI competition shifts from purely technology improvements to practical, industry-led use cases, success increasingly depends on how organisations integrate AI into day-to-day scenarios, adapt their structures, and develop robust governance frameworks.

      To reflect this, the new “Pioneer AI Tech Future Entrepreneur” award has been introduced to recognise entrepreneurs who are leading the way in AI innovation – whether through breakthroughs in large models, foundational AI software and hardware, or the development of cutting-edge AI solutions tailored to specific industries. This brings the total number of award categories to five:

      • Future Entrepreneur of the Year
      • Extraordinary Female Future Entrepreneur
      • Excellent Family Business Future Entrepreneur
      • Outstanding Emerging Future Entrepreneur
      • Pioneer AI Tech Future Entrepreneur

      Comprehensive evaluation framework: five criteria for recognising outstanding entrepreneurs

      To ensure the integrity and credibility of the “Future Entrepreneur Award”, KPMG has convened an independent judging panel made up of respected leaders from both the business and wider community. The panel will assess nominees across five key areas: strategy, innovation, governance, business performance, and social responsibility.

      The awards recognise entrepreneurs who are not only quick to spot new trends, but also have the confidence to break new ground. These leaders are celebrated for their ability to make decisive choices when it matters most, drive meaningful innovation, and continually seek out new opportunities. By embracing new technologies and rethinking business models, they help set the direction for their industries. Their vision and commitment to progress make them stand-out examples for the next generation of business leaders, and their achievements contribute directly to wider economic growth.

      Karmen Yeung Karmen Yeung, National Head of Private Enterprise at KPMG China, commented:
      开引号

      Innovation is at the heart of the ‘Future Entrepreneur Award’, underpinned by a strong sense of responsibility and commitment. Our aim is to provide a platform for forward-thinking entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements and inspire others. The awards are not only a mark of distinction for individual entrepreneurs, but also a valuable opportunity for businesses to widen their networks and gain insight into the latest industry trends. We look forward to seeing more outstanding entrepreneurs step into the spotlight, lead transformation, and help drive innovation and the intelligent economy forward.

      关引号

      As China embarks on its 15th Five-Year Plan, the private sector is set to play an increasingly vital role in the nation’s strategic development. In this era of industrial innovation and transformation, the vision, courage, and sense of responsibility shown by entrepreneurs will be crucial in translating technological advances into real-world impact and shaping China’s economic future. Through the “Future Entrepreneur Award”, KPMG is committed to recognising leaders who navigate uncertainty with confidence, drive industry transformation, and champion professional standards and open collaboration—empowering the next wave of industrial growth.

      For detailed information about the award categories and assessment criteria, please visit the official website of the Future Entrepreneur Award. 

      -Ends-

      Media inquiries:

      Isis Wong
      Direct: +852 3927 5810
      Email: iw.wong@kpmg.com

      Carrie Wong
      Direct: +852 3927 5636
      Email: cy.wong@kpmg.com

      Zoey Zhang
      Direct: +852 2978 8284
      Email: zoey.q.zhang@kpmg.com

      Francis Lee / Cynthia Chan
      Direct: +852 9631 7010 / +852 9496 3134
      Email: hkg.kpmg@fleishman.com

      Find out how KPMG's expertise can help you and your company.

      Click to begin
      Connect with us

      About KPMG

      KPMG in China has offices located in 31 cities with over 14, 000 partners and staff, in Beijing, Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. It started operations in Hong Kong in 1945. In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in the Chinese Mainland. In 2012, KPMG became the first among the “Big Four” in the Chinese Mainland to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership.

      KPMG is a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG is the brand under which the member firms of KPMG International Limited ("KPMG International") operate and provide professional services. "KPMG" is used to refer to individual member firms within the KPMG organisation or to one or more member firms collectively.

      KPMG firms operate in 138 countries and territories with more than 276, 000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. Each KPMG member firm is responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.