Do you have what it takes to be the next Tech Innovator in the UK?
Since 2013, KPMG has shone a spotlight on the game changers, disruptors and tech titans of tomorrow. This year, is no different.
For the second year, our search to find the next tech titan has gone global – including at least 23 other countries across most key regions of the world. If you are a fast growing scaleup business from early stage to accelerated growth, we invite you to pitch your innovations and present your growth ambitions to local and global industry experts.
This is an opportunity to be recognised as one of the UK’s most successful technology innovators, with exclusive networking opportunities with like-minded peers and key influencers.
Showcase your leadership, innovation and trailblazing ideas by pre-registering now for the 2023 competition.
From tech innovator to future tech titan – finalists will receive an unrivalled platform to profile your business:
- Exposure: pitch your innovations and present your growth ambitions. Winning companies will be featured in KPMG’s “Winners Report” and local media profiles. They will also receive global attention among key influencers at Web Summit 2022, Lisbon, in November.
- Recognition: profile your business throughout the competition, leveraging KPMG channels and local media.
- Networking: connect with like-minded peers, key industry experts and influencers both locally and globally.
- Go global:Winners will automatically progress to the Global Tech Innovator final, to be hosted in Lisbon, in November.
Applicants are typically technology entrepreneurs who are successfully making the transition from the start-up 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 UK
- Have been actively operating for five years or less (in the current form)
- Generate 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
- Conduct all pitches in English
- Be available to pitch at the UK heat events in June, 2022
- Available to pitch in person at the UK final event in July, 2022
- If selected as a finalist, be available to pitch at the global in Lisbon, Portugal in November 2022
What are we looking for?
Each pitching competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts. All applications will be scored based on seven, equally-weighted criteria:
- Disruption and innovation
- Market potential
- Customer adoption
- Market traction and marketing
- Long-term potential
- ESG credentials
- Pitch quality
The decisions of the panel will be final.
Applications
Q: How can I participate in the competition?
A: The 2022 competition is now closed. You can pre-register for the 2023 competition here.
Q: Who can apply?
A: Any technology entrepreneur that has operated for less than five years and is registered and based in in the UK 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 the UK and aged 18 years or over. KPMG employees and contractors are prohibited from entering the competition.
Q: When can I apply?
A: The 2022 competition is now closed. You can pre-register for the 2023 competition here.
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, current year revenue figures and projections for the following year
- 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 five years or less, and must have a viable product or service. If you’re unsure if you meet the criteria, send us an email at ukfmtechinnova@kpmg.co.uk.
Pitching
Q: What is the pitching format?
A: Each company will be given a total of approximately six 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 as 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 seven, equally-weighted criteria. The criteria are disruption and innovation, market potential, customer adoption, market traction and marketing, long-term potential, social impact, ESG credentials and governance and pitch quality.
The decisions of the panel will be final.
Winners
Q: What does the winner get?
A: The UK winner will receive exposure and recognition through local media coverage and KPMG corporate channels. The 2022 UK winner will also receive a discretionary prize of KPMG Private Enterprise services.
The UK winner will also be put forward as a finalist in the Global Tech Innovator competition, which will take place in Lisbon, in November.
The finalists will be provided with standard class flights/travel, hotel accommodation and one conference pass to attend Web Summit. Finalists will also be provided an opportunity to exhibit their products or services at the conference.
The prizes cannot be substituted for cash or any other alternatives.
Q: How and when will the winners be notified?
A: The UK winner will be notified on the day of the final. The winner and shortlisted finalists will also be profiled in the global “Winners Report”. The Global Tech Innovator winner will be announced on stage in Lisbon, in November 2022.
Further information
Q: What are the costs involved in participation?
A: There is no charge for entering into the competition, although all costs related to attendance at the heats and country final must be covered by the participants themselves, where they are being held in person. KPMG will cover the cost of standard class flights/travel, accommodation and conference passes for the finalists who are invited to present in Portugal, Lisbon in November.
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 and it’s promotion.
If you are a finalist of the competition, you agree that KPMG may use your name, image and company branding to announce the winner and finalists 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 ukfmtechinnova@kpmg.co.uk
Meet our 2022 winner: HiiROC
HiiROC, has developed a low-cost, zero-emission, scalable hydrogen generation technology solution and has a vision to make an impact on global net-zero.
They were crowned as the 2022 KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator in the UK, having delivered a winning pitch to a panel of tech industry experts and beating 11 other fast growth companies from across the country.
Hear more from the CEO, Tim Davies on what this win means for HiiROC.
Meet the 2022 judging panel
Dr Marilyn Comrie OBE
Director
The Black United
Representation Network
Victoria Edwards
Founder and CEO
FIDO Tech
Dominic McGregor
Co-Founder
Fearless Adventures
Warren Middleton
Lead Partner, Emerging Giants CoE
KPMG in the UK
Norman Molyneux
Chair
Acceleris
Adrian Poole
Head of Digital Natives
Google Cloud
Warren Ralls
Managing Director
British Business Bank
Maria Wagner
Investment Director
Beringea
Testimonials
Addie Pinkster
Adelpha Group
Tech Innovator in the UK 2021 Judge
Victoria Edwards
FIDO Tech
Tech Innovator in the UK 2021 Winner
Russ Shaw
Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates
Tech Innovator in the UK and Global Tech Innovator 2021 Judge
Stephen Nundy
Lakestar Advisors UK
Tech Innovator in the UK 2021 Judge
Go global
For the second time, we will be crowning a Global Tech Innovator – it could be you! The UK winner will go on to compete in a global final in Lisbon, Portugal in November 2022.
This is your chance to take the global stage. Find out more about the global competition here.
Participating countries include: Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Israel, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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.
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