Are you ready to unleash the power of your tech innovation?
If the answer is ‘yes’, KPMG Private Enterprise don’t want you to miss the opportunity to enter our fourth annual Global Tech Innovator competition in Ireland.
If you’re like most tech innovators, the entrepreneurial journey has taken many routes of exploration and progress. The Private Enterprise Tech Innovator 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 Private Enterprise Tech Innovator 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.
What's in it for you?
Why enter the Global Tech Innovator competition?
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.
Competition details
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 26 May 2024.
Q: Who can apply?
A: Any technology entrepreneur that has operated for less than 5 years and is registered and based in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland 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. This can be demonstrated by revenue generation (USD $1-15m) or equity raise (at least $0.5m)
All entrants entering the competition on behalf of the company must be residents in Ireland 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 15 April 2024 and close on 26 May. All applications must be received by 26 May 23:59pm 2024.
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: Irish winners will receive exposure and recognition through local media coverage and KPMG corporate channels. The Irish winners will also be put forward as finalists in the Global Tech Innovator competition.
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: The finalist will attend an in person final on the 18th of June 2024. Each finalist will pitch their business and the winner will be announced in September (date tbc) Each finalist will be promoted over the summer gaining exposure and profiling by KPMG.
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 country finals 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 for the one member from the finalist companies who are invited to present in November.
Q: Is there any publicity involved?
A: KPMG Private Enterprise will be promoting the competition stages 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 info@kpmg.ie.
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 the Country/Region where the Country/Region final is being held
- Have been actively operating for 5 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 a country/region semi-final event in the timeline outlined by the country of origin (if applicable)
- Available to pitch at a country/region final event in the timeline outlined by the country of origin
- If selected as a finalist, be available to pitch at the global final in Lisbon, Portugal in November 2023
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.
Compete on a global stage
The 2024 Private Enterprise Tech Innovator Competition 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 23 countries/regions participating in the 2024 competition include: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya (East of Africa), Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.
