Are you making a difference through tech innovation?
Since 2013, we have shone a spotlight on the game changers, difference makers and tech entrepreneurs of tomorrow – celebrating the best of tech and innovation in the UK.
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 regional, national and global industry experts. Are you ready for the spotlight?
This is an opportunity to be recognised as one of the UK’s most ambitious technology innovators. Gain global media exposure and exclusive networking opportunities with like-minded peers and key influencers – what have you got to lose? What could you gain?
The opportunity gets even bigger - for the fourth 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.
Calling all technology change makers! Showcase your leadership, innovation and trailblazing ideas by applying now for the 2024 Tech Innovator in the UK competition.
To get started, tell us about how you and your business are making a difference through innovation.
The Decision
What’s in it for you?
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 social media coverage and media profiles, that reach tech and business influencers in your country. The UK winner goes on to compete on the global stage in Lisbon in November.
Networking opportunities
The competition is a hub for networking, fostering collaborations, and gaining insights from seasoned professionals.
Connect with fellow tech innovators and join both local and global peer-to-peer networks to share ideas and build important connections in a growing community of high-achieving tech entrepreneurs.
Mentorship and growth
Access the experience of KPMG mentors and advisors who provide valuable guidance, expertise, and mentorship to refine your innovation and navigate the challenges of scaling up your tech and more.
Ongoing feedback throughout the competition from external judges and interactions with other participants regionally, nationally and globally, can also help refine your innovation and presentation skills.
Testimonials
“The most value adding business competition there is! If you are growing a tech company, putting yourself forward for the competition is a must. At every stage of the process, the KPMG Private Enterprise Team find ways to add value to your business while supporting you to turn up with your very best to a competition that is packed with the best tech innovators across the country (and world). The competition is just the start, KPMG have been a major supporter of what has been a major growth journey since entering the competition.”
“The competition provides a great platform for startup and scaleup businesses from across the UK to be recognised and celebrated. It was fantastic being part of the judging panel and to be inspired by the entrepreneurs pitching their amazing technology to us.”
“The competition was really impressive; it was an amazing group of entrepreneurs with brilliant innovations. We had great support from the KPMG UK team at every step in the process and our business has continued to go from strength to strength. We have seen a marked increase in enquiries from a variety of sectors since entering the competition and our credibility as we enter into discussions has been strengthened.”
“It’s been a rollercoaster for FIDO Tech since being named the 2021 Tech Innovator in the UK and placing second in the Global Tech Innovator competition. The platform the competition gave us transformed our business from supersonic to stratospheric.”
Meet our previous winners and finalists
Interview with tech trailblazer Elliot Street
Watch the 2023 UK final highlights videos
The 2023 finalists video
Interview with tech titan Victoria Edwards
Interview with tech innovator Tim Davies
Watch the 2022 UK final highlights video
The Detail
What are the FAQs you need to know to apply?
Applications
A: To enter the competition, you must fill out the online application form for your company before the application deadline of Wednesday 15 May, 2024.
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.
A: Applications are open from Monday, 15 April, 2024 and close on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. All applications must be received by midnight (GMT) on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. Read the full terms and conditions here.
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.
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 – including short biographies
- 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
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.
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
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.
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, ESG credentials, long-term potential, social impact and governance and pitch quality.
The decisions of the panel will be final.
Winners
A: The UK winner will receive exposure and recognition through local media coverage and KPMG corporate channels. The 2024 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.
A: The UK winner will be notified at the UK final. The Global Tech Innovator winner will be announced on stage in Lisbon, in November 2024. The winner and shortlisted finalists will also be profiled in the global “Winners Report”.
Further information
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.
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.
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.
A: For any further information please email ukfmtechinnova@kpmg.co.uk
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 local expertise with 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.
