This year's KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition will be hosted by award-winning tech journalist and broadcaster Jess Kelly. As the host of Tech Talk on Newstalk, Ireland's only national radio show dedicated to technology, Jess brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the competition.
The judges
Anna Scally, Parter, Global Head of Technology, Media & Telecommunications, KPMG Ireland said, "We are delighted to welcome an exceptional panel of judges to this year's competition. With their diverse backgrounds in investment, leadership, and advisory roles, we are confident in our ability to pinpoint Ireland's next top tech innovator."
Cyril McGuire
Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, CEO, Infinity Capital
Cyril McGuire is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist based in Dublin, Ireland. He is Chief Executive Officer of Infinity Capital, a private venture capital firm specialising in global technology and software investments. His portfolio includes over 20 high-growth Irish ICT companies, including Movidius (Intel), Soundwave (Spotify), Arconics (ViaSat), and DecaWave (Qorvo), as well as Corlytics, Everseen, Nuritas, and Ubotica.
He previously co-founded Trintech Group plc (Nasdaq: TTPA), where he served as Chairman and CEO, building a global leader in cloud-based software for financial governance, risk and compliance.
Earlier in his career, Cyril was an Investment Manager with Industrial Credit Corporation plc, focusing on IT investment projects.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Studies from UCD, and completed Stanford’s Leadership for Growth programme. He was named Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999.
Colin Goulding
Director, Google
Colin Goulding is a Director at Google, where he has held senior leadership roles including Director of Global Customer Care in Ireland. He also led Google for Startups in Ireland, overseeing programmes and partnerships that support early-stage companies through access to Google’s global network, expertise and resources.
Colin has extensive experience working with the startup ecosystem, helping high-growth companies scale and expand internationally. He is recognised for his ability to connect founders with the tools, insights and networks needed to accelerate growth and innovation.
Caroline Gaynor
Partner, Lightstone Ventures
Caroline Gaynor is a Partner at Lightstone Ventures, focused on new investments in the biopharmaceutical and medical device sectors from the firm’s Dublin office. She currently serves on the boards of Amber Therapeutics, Volta Medical, Parvalis Therapeutics, ProVerum, and Carrick Therapeutics, and is a board observer for Cerevance and Crystalys Therapeutics. She has previously served on the boards of ALX Oncology, Catamaran Bio and FIRE1.
Caroline is Chair of the Irish Venture Capital Association and serves on advisory boards including BioInnovate Ireland and ARC Hub for Therapeutics. She joined Lightstone Ventures in 2017, bringing over 15 years’ operational experience across the pharmaceutical and early-stage medtech sectors.
Conor Stanley
Founder, Tribal.vc
Conor Stanley is the Founder of Tribal.vc, a Dublin-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage software and technology companies. An experienced entrepreneur and investor, Conor has backed a number of leading Irish and international tech successes, including Intercom, Boxever, Brightflag and NewsWhip.
He is known for investing early and working closely with founders to help them scale globally, drawing on his own experience as a founder and long-standing participant in the venture ecosystem.
Anna Scally
Partner, Head of Technology Media & Telecoms, KPMG Ireland and EMA
Anna Scally is a Partner at KPMG in Ireland, specialising in international tax, and serves as the firm’s Global Head of Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT). In this role, she leads KPMG’s global growth strategy in the sector, helping clients navigate rapid technological change.
With over 20 years of experience, Anna has advised many of the world’s leading technology and media companies, as well as clients in fintech, pharmaceuticals and life sciences.
She is actively involved beyond KPMG as a board member of The Ireland Funds, a member of the Scale Ireland Steering Group, and a founding director of the Fintech and Payments Association of Ireland. She also previously served on the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.
Are you Ireland’s next tech innovator?
Global Tech Innovator 2026 is open to Irish tech entrepreneurs and start-ups businesses which are pure technology, tech-enabled, tech-led or tech-driven. Irish competition entrants will be shortlisted and invited to pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to the judging panel and all entrants must be available to appear in person for the Ireland final, which will be held in Dublin on June 30th June 2026.
The competition is open to all technology or technology-enabled companies which have operated for seven years or less, have generated revenue of between USD $1-15m (or have raised at least $500,000 in equity) and are registered and based in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
The Irish winner will advance to the Global Tech Innovator final in Lisbon in November. Additional prizes include representing Ireland on the global stage, receiving mentorship from KPMG professionals, and gaining access to exclusive networking events.
Find out more about the competition at www.kpmg.ie/GTI
Contact us
