After a decade of success championing British disruptors, KPMG’s Private Enterprise practice has today launched its annual search for the UK’s most exciting tech innovators.
The competition, which celebrates its 10th year, has uncovered British tech innovators including What3Words, SafetoNet, FIDOTech and 2022 winner HiiROC, which went on to win the global final during Web Summit.
Having shone a light on a host of tech success stories from across the country, the competition is also now in its third year of going global and has expanded to include technology innovators competing across over 20 countries representing major regions of the world.
The competition is now open to scaleup businesses from early-stage to accelerated growth. They are being invited to pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to panels of local and global industry experts. Initial heats will take place regionally to find a final shortlist of innovators representing the best from across the UK who will then be invited to a gala event to find the standout 2023 UK tech innovator.
Commenting on the competition, Warren Middleton, lead partner of the Emerging Giants Centre of Excellence for KPMG in the UK, said: “Over the last decade, we have seen our competition go from strength to strength as our tech ecosystems across the UK continue to mature, grow and attract many home-grown disruptors. Innovation is now firmly on the agenda of businesses and policymakers as a vital contributor to the health and wealth of our economy, and this competition is a great platform to help profile, recognise and celebrate the outstanding technology being developed across the UK.”
He added: “Now in its tenth year, the competition has an impressive list of alumni who have gone on to achieve huge global success, investment and growth across a range of technology areas and I am very excited to see what innovation this year’s competition uncovers. This is an amazing opportunity to support our unicorns of tomorrow as they take their businesses to the next level and get access to vital networks that no fast-growing tech company will want to miss.”
The competition is open to pure technology, tech-enabled, tech-led or tech-driven businesses. Participants will have the opportunity to be recognised as one of the UK’s most successful technology innovators. Shortlisted businesses will be provided with entry to a bespoke version of KPMG’s Access programme for fast-growth businesses, exclusive networking opportunities among industry experts, their peers and other tech innovators.
The Tech Innovator in the UK winner, and the winner in each of the other participating countries, will progress to the Global Tech Innovator final at Web Summit 2023, where they will compete on the global stage.
Hull-based HiiROC was crowned UK Tech Innovator 2022 and went on to win the global competition at Web Summit in Lisbon. CEO Tim Davies, who delivered the winning pitch, said: “The global competition was exciting for the HiiROC team; a great reward for all their hard work and much appreciated by shareholders. It also provided a great opportunity to highlight our transformational new process for making low-cost, zero-emission hydrogen to a much wider audience, which included potential partners, suppliers, investors, advisors and policymakers.
“The competition was really impressive, with some amazing businesses and inspiring leaders. We had great support from the KPMG Private Enterprise UK team at every step in the process and they have continued to support us through the subsequent Access Programme.”
Applications are now open for the UK competition here.
In partnership with KPMG.
