First runner-up was Ireland’s Akara, developers of automated AI sensors, robotics and advanced analytics for surgical use with India’s StepOut, a cutting-edge sports performance and analytics startup taking the second runner-up position.
Japan’s Rhinoflux has taken home the top prize for its visionary capability of unlocking biomass to create clean energy economically in the 2025 KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator competition.
On November 12th, 21 national winners made their final pitches to four industry-leading judges to select the 2025 KPMG Global Tech Innovator winner. Before a sizeable Web Summit audience in Lisbon, Portugal, KPMG Private Enterprise announced that Japan and Rhinoflux has been named the 2025 Global Tech Innovator winner for its unique ability to unlock biomass to create clean energy at a reduced cost.
The panel of international judges for the 2025 competition included:
- Emily Fontaine, IBM Ventures
- Eoin Duane, Insight Partners
- Carolin Wais, Plug and Play
- Eugene Malobrodsky, One Way Ventures
The 2025 finalists included:
- Austria – enspired
Automated energy trading and battery storage solutions
- Brazil – 02Eco
Smart water regeneration to cut waste, chemicals, and CO₂
- Colombia – Salva Health
Making healthcare more equitable and proactive
- East Africa – Zendawa
Turning local pharmacies into digital health powerhouses
- Estonia – ÄIO
Precision fermentation to turn industrial by-products into valuable resources
- Finland – Flow Computing
Transforming how CPUs perform and scale
- Germany – Traceless Minerals
Turning agricultural waste into compostable biomaterials
- India – StepOut
A cutting-edge sports performance and analytics startup
- Ireland – Akara
- Transforming hospital efficiency with AI-powered sensors, robotics and advanced analytics
- Japan – Rhinoflux
Unlocking biomass to create clean energy at less cost
- Mexico – Microendo XXX
Environmental innovation to improve crop fertilization
- Netherlands – Selection Lab
Software and technology to make employee hiring fairer, more objective, efficient
- Philippines – Betterteam AI
Empowering companies to retain top talent by enhancing the employee experience
- Portugal – Ethiack S.A.
AI-powered proactive cybersecurity
- Saudi Arabia – NanoPalm
A nanoparticle-based drug delivery platform
- South Africa – Altify
A regulated alternative investment platform
- Sweden – Rebaba
Turning upcycled EV batteries into powerful, circular energy storage systems
- Turkey – Werover
AI-powered monitoring to help wind operators predict blade damage
- United Arab Emirates – Electrogenos Magan
Unlocking hydrogen for heavy industry, transport, and energy storage
- United Kingdom – Inicio AI
An AI-generated virtual agent to help consumers manage their income and expenses
- United States – CARPL
Integration of AI radiology solutions into medical center and healthcare providers clinical practices
About the competition
The inaugural KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition was introduced in 2021. In the first year of the global competition, 17 countries and jurisdictions participated in the competition. The competition has grown to include 21 countries and jurisdictions from mature and emerging markets, with more than 1,300 applicants in 2025.
Companies from the startup to growth stages are invited to pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to panels of local and global industry experts for the opportunity to be recognized as a leading technology innovator in their country and ultimately on the global stage.
For media queries, please contact:
Daniel Caines
Senior Manager, Global External Communications, KPMG International
T: +44 7732400262
E: Daniel.Caines@kpmg.co.uk
About KPMG Private Enterprise
Passion, it’s what drives entrepreneurs, it’s also what inspires KPMG Private Enterprise advisers to help you maximize success. You know KPMG, but 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. Working with KPMG Private Enterprise, you’ll gain access to a trusted advisor — a single point of contact who shares your entrepreneurial mindset. Access to KPMG’s global resources and alliance network can help you drive your business forward and meet your goals. Your success is KPMG Private Enterprise’s legacy.
About KPMG International
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