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      Japan’s Rhinoflux emerged as the winner of the 2025 KPMG Global Tech Innovator final at Web Summit in Lisbon, impressing judges with its breakthrough technology that unlocks biomass to create clean energy at a lower cost. The competition brought together 21 of the world’s most promising tech startups for an intense round of pitches before a panel of industry leaders.

      But the spotlight wasn’t only on the winner. Ireland’s Akara secured an impressive first runner-up position, earning global recognition for its cutting-edge healthtech solutions. Akara develops AI-powered sensors, robotics, and advanced analytics designed to transform surgical efficiency and hospital operations.

      Representing Ireland on the global stage was Niamh Donnelly, Akara’s co-founder and CTO. Speaking after the result, Niamh said:

      “Securing second place is a fantastic achievement for the entire Akara team. We are passionate about developing innovative solutions to complex healthtech problems and are excited to continue our journey and make an impact on a global scale.”

      India’s StepOut, a sports performance and analytics startup, rounded out the podium in third place.

      Japan’s Rhinoflux emerged as the winner of the 2025 KPMG Global Tech Innovator final at Web Summit in Lisbon

      A global celebration of innovation

      Now in its fifth year, the KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition attracted more than 1,300 applicants from 21 countries and jurisdictions, showcasing the strength and diversity of tech innovation worldwide. From AI-driven healthcare to clean energy breakthroughs, this year’s finalists demonstrated how technology can solve real-world challenges and create meaningful change.

      Conor Moore, Global and Americas Leader of KPMG Private Enterprise, summed it up:

      “Each year, we continue to see remarkable solutions that push boundaries and create progress. This year was no exception—every finalist exemplified the spirit of innovation that drives real impact.”

      Entries for this year’s competition are now closed—but the next opportunity is just around the corner. If you’re a tech startup, or know one ready to make a global impact, don’t wait. Click the link below to register your interest and be first in line for updates on the next KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition, taking place in 2026.

      Register your interest

      Akara has been named the winner of the KPMG Global Tech Innovator Ireland competition for 2025.

      This remarkable achievement showcases Akara’s innovative approach to enhancing hospital operations through AI-powered sensors, predictive analytics, and autonomous disinfection robots, all designed to streamline daily hospital activities and pave the way for the smart operating room of the future.

      Now in its fifth year, the competition featured an impressive array of entrants, highlighting the best of Ireland's emerging tech innovators across diverse sectors. Akara’s pioneering solutions distinguished them from the competition, earning a spot on the global stage in Lisbon this November.

      Niamh Donnelly, Co-founder and CTO of Akara, will represent Ireland at this prestigious global competition, where she will compete alongside innovators from 21 other countries.

      More about Akara and our 2025 finalists
      Winning the GTI Ireland competition is a tremendous honour, and it reflects our team's dedication to innovation and excellence. This achievement not only validates our hard work but also inspires us to push the boundaries of what is possible in healthtech. We are excited to continue our journey and make an impact on a global scale.

      Niamh Donnelly

      Co-founder and CTO

      Akara

      Register for Global Tech Innovator 2026

      Applications for Global Tech Innovator are now closed. To register your interest for next year’s competition please click on the button below.

      Register your interest

      Follow this year's competition

      Watch finalist interviews & pitches

      About the competition

      • Who are we looking for?

        Tech innovators and entrepreneurs whose innovations and businesses are ready to reach new heights.

      • What are we looking for?

        Tech innovations and tech-enabled solutions with bold ambitions to transform entire industries and make a difference in the world.

      • Why should you enter?

        If you’ve developed a bold tech innovation that has potential— and you’re ready to grow your business — this may be the most important next step you can take to introduce your business and your tech to an audience of key influencers.

         

      There’s a lot in it for you

      We believe, that if you’re a tech innovator and entrepreneur, this competition is an ideal platform to profile your business. The potential benefits if you take the opportunity to compete include:

      • National and Global Exposure

        Raise awareness of your innovation and your business by showcasing it on a prestigious platform to a national and global audience of industry experts, investors, potential partners and customers. Increase your company’s local profile through business and social media posts that reach tech and business influencers in your country.

      • Validation and Recognition

        Enhance your credibility in the tech industry and potential investors, partners and customers by gaining recognition and validation for your innovation as a finalist (and potential winner) in country and global pitch competitions.

      • Networking opportunities

        The competition is a hub for networking, fostering collaborations, and gaining insights from seasoned professionals. Connect with fellow tech innovators and join a global peer-to-peer network to share ideas and build important connections in a growing community of high-achieving tech entrepreneurs.

      • Mentorship and Guidance

        Access the experience of KPMG mentors and advisers who provide valuable guidance, expertise, and mentorship to refine your innovation and navigate the challenges of scaling up your tech.

      • Media and Publicity

        Gain media coverage and publicity at the regional and global level to boost your innovation's visibility and market presence and attract potential users, customers and future sources of funding.

      • Learning and Growth

        From the initial application to the regional and global pitch presentations, the competition can be a significant learning experience. Feedback from judges and interactions with other participants can help refine your innovation and presentation skills.

      Join a community of tech innovators who are turning their bold ambitions into a reality.

      Who is eligible to enter the competition?

      Qualifications and eligibility criteria


      Applicants are typically technology entrepreneurs who are successfully making the transition from the startup phase to the next stage in the growth of their businesses. They have developed innovative, proven technologies, established robust business models, demonstrated traction and have the potential to scale up globally.

      To be eligible for the competition, you must:

      • Be a registered company in the country/region where the country/region final is being held.
      • Have been actively operating for 7 years or less (in the current form).
      • Have generated revenue between US $1 million and $15 million; or have raised at least US $500,000 in equity.
      • Be either a pure technology or a tech-enabled, tech-driven or tech-led business.
      • Not be majority owned by a large corporate.
      • Be able to conduct all pitches in English.
      • Be available to pitch at a country/region semi-final event in the timeline outlined by the country of origin (if applicable).
      • If selected as a finalist, be available to pitch at the global final in November 2025. 
      Pictured L: R Anna Scally, KPMG EMA TMT Sector Lead and Emma Meehan, founder of Precision Sports Technology and winner of KPMG Global Tech Innovator Ireland 2024 Pictured L: R Anna Scally, KPMG EMA TMT Sector Lead and Emma Meehan, founder of Precision Sports Technology and winner of KPMG Global Tech Innovator Ireland 2024

      Terms and conditions

      This competition is being run by KPMG Ireland, in conjunction with KPMG International, a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales with company number 12474966. The registered office of KPMG International is at 15 Canada Square, London, E14 5GL . All references to ‘KPMG’, ‘we’ and ‘our’ within these Terms and Conditions shall mean KPMG International and KPMG Ireland unless clearly indicated otherwise

      The competition will open on 28 April 2025. In order to enter the competition you must complete and submit the application form available at:

      Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

      before 23:59 on 30 May 2025 and be available to attend a National Competition in person on the 17 June 2025 (successful applicants will be informed of the National Competition joining procedures) and the global Final in November 2025 (as explained below) if your entry progresses to that stage.  We reserve the right for national and global events to be virtual depending on relevant restrictions at that time.

      This Competition is aimed at businesses typically in the start-up and scale up phase and which have innovative technologies, robust business models, the ability to demonstrate traction in their activities and the potential for global scale.

      For the purposes of competition, applicants should:

      Be a registered company (including partnerships and equivalent for-profit corporate structures) in one of the following countries:

      • Austria
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
      • East Africa
      • Estonia
      • Finland
      • Germany
      • Ghana
      • India
      • Ireland
      • Japan
      • Mexico
      • Netherlands
      • Philippines
      • Portugal
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Southern Africa
      • Sweden
      • Türkey
      • UAE
      • UK
      • US
      • Have been operating for 7 years or less (in current form)
      • Revenue generating between USD $1-10m; or have raised at least $500,000 in equity
      • Either a pure technology, tech-driven or a tech-enabled business
      • Not majority owned by a large corporate

      You must be available to pitch your entry at:

      • A National Competition to be held on the 17 June 2025; and
      • At the global finals in November (if selected as a national winner).

      All entrants entering the competition on behalf of a company must:

      • Be residents of the country in whose national heat they apply to participate; and
      • Be aged 18 or over.

      KPMG employees and contractors are prohibited from entering the competition.

      The competition is not open to any company which is a KPMG audit client or an affiliate or a connected party to an audit client.

      There should not be more than one entry per company/entity.

      All valid applications will be assessed once the application stage closes. Applications will be collated and assessed by KPMG professionals under three categories with equal weighting to each. The categories are; innovation and disruption, market potential, and traction and momentum.

      Applicants who are successful after this initial assessment and subject to KPMG screening checks will be invited to pitch at the National Competition where they will be judged by a panel of industry experts made up from within KPMG and outside of KPMG. Some countries will have Regional Competitions in addition to a National Final.

      All applications will be scored under five categories with equal weighting to each. The categories are; innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, company growth potential, customer focussed and risk awareness. The decisions of the industry expert panels will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

      One winning entry from each National Competition will win the chance to pitch at the Final to be held in November where the overall winning entry will be announced.

      Written feedback will be provided to the applicants in relation to their scores awarded at the country competitions and the Final.

      There are no charges for entering the Competition. Applicants will be responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary technology and internet access to participate in all virtual/online aspects of the competition. 

      One entry from each National Competition will be selected to go to the finals in November 2025 where they will pitch to industry experts on stage and one overall winner will be selected as the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator 2025.

      Finalists will attend KPMG events and sponsored events with business luminaires and CEOs from leading fast growth private global business

      The overall winner will receive the right to identify their business as the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator 2025 .

      Winners of the Competition agree that KPMG may use their name and image, and the name and branding of the company that they are entering, to announce the winner of the Competition and for any other reasonable and related promotional and marketing purposes.

      Participants warrant that any submissions entered as part of the Competition shall be their own original work and shall not infringe any intellectual property rights of any other person or entity.

      Participants hereby grant to KPMG a non-exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use the content of their submissions and pitch materials and any intellectual property included in the submissions, for the purpose of administering the Competition and for KPMG’s own purposes, including sharing the submissions with its network of KPMG member firms for their further development of solutions to their business.  

      Participants may announce their participation in the Competition and refer to KPMG when doing so subject to KPMG policies including trademark requirements and restrictions. No other use of KPMG's name, logos, trademarks or other intellectual property (whether registered or not) is permitted without the express written permission of KPMG and no licence for the use of KPMG intellectual property is granted by these terms and conditions or by entry into the Competition. KPMG may at any time, in its sole discretion, require Participants to remove references to KPMG or the Competition. 

      KPMG, acting as a data controller will process the personal data of applicants as required to administer the Competition, including the Global Final. KPMG International processes personal data for the purposes of administering the Competition (including post-competition communications with participants) pursuant to the KPMG International Privacy Notice.

      KPMG Ireland acting as a data controller will process the personal data of applicants as required to administer the National Competition and any regional heats. KPMG Ireland processes personal data pursuant to its privacy notice.

      All personal data processing in relation to the Competition takes place subject to KPMG's legitimate interests.

      KPMG entities may share personal data between them as required for the purposes of administering the Competition, subject to the safeguards outlined in the KPMG International Privacy Notice.

      KPMG Ireland may share your name and contact details with National or Regional Sponsors of the National Competition. Your consent will be sought for this, if required.

      Public health and/or travel restrictions may mean that KPMG is required to change the timings or structure of the competition at short notice. For example, it may be necessary to conduct the Final virtually or to delay the Final if travel to Lisbon is not feasible for some or all participants.

      If entrants are unable to attend the Final due to local travel restrictions, vaccination status, or other public health related reasons KPMG will make reasonable efforts to facilitate their involvement in a virtual way but this may not be possible and all decisions that KPMG takes with regard to the operation and timings of the competition shall be final. 

      If there is any reason to believe that there has been a breach of these terms and conditions, KPMG may, at its sole discretion, reserve the right to exclude you and/or your company from participating in the 2025 competition and future competitions operated by KPMG. By entering the Competition you are agreeing on your own behalf and all directors, and on behalf of the company which you are entering, to be bound by these terms and conditions.

      KPMG reserves the right to hold void, suspend, cancel, or amend the Competition and/or the prize where it deems it necessary to do so.

      Insofar as is permitted by law, we will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate a winner or accept any liability for any loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of taking up the prize, except where it is caused by our negligence or that of our employees. Your statutory rights are not affected.

      These terms and conditions shall be governed by English law, and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

      The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

      © 2025 KPMG International. All rights reserved.

      Hear from previous winners

      Countries participating

      Countries participating in the 2025 Global Tech Innovator competition

      The countries/regions participating in the 2025 competition include:


      Austria, Brazil, Colombia, East Africa, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Southern Africa, Sweden, Turkey, UK and the US.

      About KPMG Private Enterprise

      You know KPMG, you might not know KPMG Private Enterprise.

      KPMG Private Enterprise advisers in KPMG firms around the world are dedicated to working with you and your business, no matter where you are in your growth journey — whether you’re looking to reach new heights, embrace technology, plan for an exit, or manage the transition of wealth or your business to the next generation.

      You gain access to KPMG’s global resources through a single point of contact — a trusted adviser to your company. It is a local touch with a global reach.

      The KPMG Private Enterprise Global Network for Emerging Giants has extensive knowledge and experience working with the startup ecosystem. Whether you are looking to establish your operations, raise capital, expand abroad, or simply comply with regulatory requirements — we can help. From seed to speed, we’re here throughout your journey.

      Contact Anna Scally to find out more. We look forward to hearing from you.

      Anna Scally
      Anna Scally

      Partner, Head of Technology Media & Telecoms, KPMG in Ireland and EMA

      KPMG in Ireland

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