The search is on to find the UK鈥檚 most innovative tech companies.
After a decade of success championing British disruptors, KPMG鈥檚 Private Enterprise practice has launched its KPMG UK鈥檚 Tech Innovator 2023.
Last year鈥檚 winner, Hull-based technology scaleup聽 HiiROC, 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聽and has expanded to include technology innovators competing across over 20 countries representing major regions of the world.
The competition is open to scaleup businesses from early-stage to accelerated growth, who 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: 鈥淥ver 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.
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鈥淚nnovation is now firmly on the agenda of businesses and policy makers 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.
鈥淣ow in its 10th 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鈥檚 competition uncovers.
鈥淭his 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.鈥�
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鈥檚 most successful technology innovators.
Shortlisted businesses will be provided with entry to a bespoke version of KPMG鈥檚 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.
HiiROC鈥檚 CEO Tim Davies said being crowned UK Tech Innovator 2022 had been transformational.
鈥淭he global competition was exciting for the HiiROC team; a great reward for all their hard work and much appreciated by shareholders,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t 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 policy makers.
鈥淭he 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.鈥�
Applications are now open for the UK competition