Are you ready to unleash the power of your tech innovation?
If yes, entering the annual KPMG Global Tech Innovator (GTI) competition is an opportunity you cannot afford to miss.
If you’re like most tech innovators, the entrepreneurial journey has taken many routes of exploration and progress. The GTI competition is helping to accelerate that journey by putting founders and their technology innovations and tech-enabled solutions in the global spotlight. All with the support, guidance and expertise of an extensive network of business professionals during — and after — the competition.
We’re committed to discovering and supporting tech entrepreneurs who are helping to change the future, one innovation at a time. If you have created a tech breakthrough or a new tech-enabled solution that’s ready to make a difference in the world, entering the GTI competition can help put it on the radar of national and global industry experts, investors and potential partners.
If you’re ready to take your technology and your business to the next level, this may be the giant step you’ve been looking for. If it is, we want to hear from you.
until we close applications.
Tech innovators and entrepreneurs who are ready to take their innovations and their businesses to new heights.
Tech innovations and tech-enabled solutions that have the potential to transform entire industries — or even the world.
If you’ve developed a brilliant tech innovation that’s making a difference — 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
The competition is an unrivaled platform to profile your business. The benefits are second to none if you take the opportunity to compete.
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.
Watch the GTI Saudi Arabia finals of 2023
What countries are participating in the 2024 KPMG GTI competition?
GTI is more than a contest. It’s a celebration of entrepreneurship and technology advances that have the potential to leave a lasting and positive impact on the world. As the world watches this year’s competition, tech entrepreneurs from 23 countries/regions will take the stage, challenge each other and leave an enduring mark on the world.
The countries/regions participating alongside Saudi Arabia in the 2024 competition include: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Applications
Q: How can I participate in the competition?
A: To enter the competition, you must fill out the online application form for your company before the application deadline of 31 July 2024.
Q: Who can apply?
A: Any technology entrepreneur that has operated for less than 5 years and is registered and based in Saudi Arabia can apply. Applicants must have innovative, proven technologies, robust business models, the ability to demonstrate traction in their activities and the potential to scale up. All entrants entering the competition on behalf of the company must be residents in Saudi Arabia and aged 18 years or over. KPMG employees and contractors are prohibited from entering the competition.
Q: When can I apply?
A: Applications are open from 31 March 2024 and close on 31 July 2024. All applications must be received before this closing date.
Application process and timeline:
- 31 March – Application open
- 31 July – Application close
- 28 August – Saudi Arabia finals
Q: Is there a limit to the number of entries?
A: During the application period, there is no limit to the number of companies that can apply, however we request that no more than one application per company is submitted.
Q: What information do I need to provide?
A: If you’d like to apply, here’s what we’ll need:
- Company details (name, address, company registration number, contact details)
- CEO, founder and management team details
- A brief description of the company, business model, any media coverage and proprietary technology (maximum of 200 words)
- Details on funding raised to date, 2023 revenue figures and projections for 2024
- A high-resolution image of your company logo
Selection Criteria
Q: How do I know if my company qualifies?
A: We aim to be as inclusive as possible; whether you’re a pure technology company or tech-enabled, tech-led, or tech-driven, we want to hear about your growth ambitions.
Q: What stage should my company be at to be considered?
A: We are looking for companies that have been operating for 5 years or less, and must have a viable product or service.
Pitching
Q: What is the pitching format?
A: Each company will be given a total of approximately 5 minutes to both pitch and answer questions from a judging panel. All presentations must be in Microsoft PowerPoint or PDF file format. A detailed pack outlining requirements will be shared with shortlisted businesses when appropriate.
Q: What is the judging criteria?
A: Each pitching competition will be judged by a panel of industry and KPMG experts. All applications will be scored based on six, equally-weighted criteria. The criteria are disruption and innovation, market potential, customer adoption, market traction and marketing, long-term potential and pitch quality. The decisions of the panel will be final.
Winners
Q: What do winners get?
A: Winners will receive exposure and recognition through local media coverage and KPMG corporate channels. Winners will also be put forward as finalists in the Global Tech Innovator competition, which will take place in November 2024.
The finalists will be provided with standard class flights/travel, hotel accommodation to the final.
The prizes cannot be substituted for cash or any other alternatives.
Q: How and when will the winners be notified?
A: Winners will be notified on the day of the final. Winners will also be profiled in the KPMG “Winners Report”. The Global Tech Innovator winner will be announced on stage in person and virtually in November 2024.
Further information
Q: What are the costs involved in participation?
A: There is no charge for entering into the competition. KPMG will cover the cost of standard class flight/travel, accommodation and Web Summit conference pass for the finalist who is invited to present in November.
In addition, KPMG will cover the cost of travel and accommodation for the finalists who are based outside Riyadh to come and pitch at the finals event at KPMG head office in Riyadh.
Q: Is there any publicity involved?
A: KPMG Private Enterprise will be promoting the pitch heats alongside various partners throughout the course of the competition. By entering the competition, you agree that any personal information provided by you with your entry may be held and used by KPMG to administer the competition.
If you are a winner of the competition, you agree that KPMG may use your name, image and company branding to announce the winner of the competition and for any other reasonable and related promotional and marketing purposes.
Q: Will I receive feedback on my application?
A: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified. Due to the volume of entries received, we are unable to provide detailed feedback to each unsuccessful applicant.
We value the time and effort put into each submission and thank you for your participation.
Q: Who do I get in touch with for further information?
A: For any further information please email sa-fm-techinnovator@kpmg.com
What makes a winner?
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 Saudi Arabia
- Have been actively operating for 5 years or less (in the current form)
- Be either a pure technology or a tech-enabled, tech-driven or tech-led business
- Not be majority owned by a large corporate
- Conduct all pitches in English
- Be available to pitch at our finals on 28 August in Riyadh.
- If selected as a finalist, be available to pitch at the global final at Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal in November 2024
What are we looking for?
Each pitching competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts. All applications will be scored based on six, equally-weighted criteria:
- Disruption and innovation
- Market potential
- Customer adoption
- Market traction and marketing
- Long-term potential
- Pitch quality
The decisions of the panel will be final.
