The inaugural KPMG Tech Innovator competition will recognise Ireland’s leading tech innovators and future tech titans
KPMG in Ireland has launched a search for Ireland’s next top tech innovator. The inaugural competition is open to Irish tech entrepreneurs and start-ups businesses which are pure technology, tech-enabled, tech-led, or tech-driven.
Competition entrants will be shortlisted and invited to pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to an esteemed panel of 5 judges on Thursday 23 September.
The overall winner in Ireland will progress to the Global Tech Innovator final at Web Summit 2021 in Lisbon in November. The prize also includes travel and accommodation to Lisbon, tickets to Web Summit as part of KPMG’s delegation, an exhibition stand for 1 day, and access to exclusive networking events and mentoring opportunities.
The competition is open for any technology companies which have operated for 5 years or less, have revenue generating between USD $1-10m (or have raised at least $500,000 in equity) and are registered and based in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Applicants must have innovative, proven technologies, robust business models, the ability to demonstrate traction in their activities and the potential to scale up. Applications must be submitted by 27th August 2021.
The global competition will include technology innovators from 17 other countries and jurisdictions across the world, including South Africa, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Israel, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, USA and Qatar.
Commenting on the competition, Anna Scally, Partner, Head of Technology & Media, Fintech Lead, said: “Irish tech companies are amongst the best in the world. We are looking for the gamechangers in innovation with the ambition to take their business to the next level. If you think have the next big thing in tech, this competition is for you. Whether they are tech-enabled, tech-led or tech-driven, we’re inviting our unicorns of tomorrow to consider this extraordinary opportunity to take their businesses to the next level.”
Judges include Mark Cummins, a serial entrepreneur who currently works at Google on local retail efforts, Nicola McClafferty, a Partner at Draper Esprit who focuses on consumer and saas investing across Europe, Gareth Lambe, the Head of Facebook Ireland – responsible for the health and success of Facebook’s International Headquarters, employing 3,000 people directly, Fiona Gallagher, CEO of Wells Fargo International Bank UC (WFBI), and Seamus Hand, Managing Partner of KPMG in Ireland and a member of KPMG’s Global and EMA boards.
Applications are now open for the competition at www.kpmg.ie/GTI.
For full information on the competition click here.