Are you ready to unleash the power of your tech innovation?
If the answer is ‘yes’, entering the fourth annual KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator in China is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss.
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.
The previous two years have seen KPMG China successfully hold the “KPMG Private Enterprise China Tech Innovator”, with the aim of making it a leading platform for the demonstration of technological innovation enterprises, revealing outstanding technology start-ups in China, and promoting the sustainable development of the country's technological innovation ecosystem. The event also lets us show our recognition of the world's leading technology start-ups and nurture future technology giants.
Michael Jiang
Head of Clients and Markets
KPMG China
Being competitive in cost and boasting a wealth of overseas-educated innovation talent, China’s technological innovation sector is well positioned to compete in the global market. On top of this, China's favourable national policies, capital market development, and increasing support for technological pursuits are helping to strongly accelerate growth of this sector.
Daniel Chan
Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications
KPMG China
November this year will see KPMG Private Enterprise hold the “KPMG Private Enterprise China Tech Innovator” event, with the worldwide elite of technological innovation competing against their global counterparts. Participating enterprises will not only significantly add to their experience, but will also establish connections with local and global peers and key industry experts, increasing their exposure and visibility around the world.
Karmen Yeung
National Head of Private Enterprise
Head of Private Enterprise, Hong Kong
KPMG China
We would like to sincerely invite you to join this contest. As an event including technology start-ups from China and 23 other countries/regions, you will have a unique opportunity to show off your creativity, innovation and unique technological research achievements to a selection committee composed of industry experts. This is your chance to demonstrate your business ambitions and work with KPMG to be part of the creation of a dynamic innovation ecosystem.
Travis Lee
Tax Partner, Private Enterprise
KPMG China
Compete on the global stage
The countries/regions/jurisdictions participating in the 2024 competition include: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Denmark, 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.
The KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator competition showcases entrepreneurs across industries who are innovating to become the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Showcase yourselves
Worldwide Exposure
Feature in KPMG’s “Winners Report”, media profiles and at Web Summit roadshow and able to contact with investors and potential partners. In business and social media posts that reach your country’s tech and business influencers.
Gain Recognition
Profile your business & leverage KPMG channels locally and globally.
Building a global peer network
Connect with like-minded peers, key industry experts and influencers. Global finalists will become an alumnus/a of a growing, Global Tech Innovator Fellows’ network for high-achieving entrepreneurs to share ideas and challenges and build important connections.
Going Global
As a country winner at the final event to crown the Global Tech Innovator 2023 winner during Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.
What makes a Global Tech Innovator?
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
- Be able to 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 virtually 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 November 2024
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.
- How can I participate in the competition?
- To enter the competition, you must fill out the online application form for your company before the application deadline of 11:59 PM, July 3rd, China Standard Time.
- Who can apply?
- Any technology entrepreneur that has operated for less than 5 years and is registered and based in China 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. All entrants entering the competition on behalf of the company must be residents in China and aged 18 years or over. KPMG employees and contractors are prohibited from entering the competition.
- When can I apply?
- Applications are open from May 8th, 2024 and close on July 3rd, 2024. All applications must be received by 11:59 PM, July 3rd, China Standard Time.
- Is there a limit to the number of entries?
- 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?
- 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
- How do I know if my company qualifies?
- 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.
- What stage should my company be at to be considered?
- We are looking for companies that have been operating for 5 years or less, and must have a viable product or service.
- What is the pitching format?
- 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.
- What is the judging criteria?
- 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.
- What do winners get?
- China winners will receive exposure and recognition through local media coverage and KPMG corporate channels. China winners will also be put forward as finalists in the Global Tech Innovator competition, which will take place in November 2024.
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. - How and when will the winners be notified?
- China winners will be notified on the day of the final. Winners will also be profiled in the KPMG “Winners Report”. The Global Tech Innovator winner will be announced on stage in person and virtually in November 2024.
- What are the costs involved in participation?
- There is no charge for entering into the competition, although all costs related to attendance at the semi-final and 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.
- Is there any publicity involved?
- KPMG Private Enterprise will be promoting the pitch heats 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.
- 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.
- Who do I get in touch with for further information?
- A: For any further information please email gti.china@kpmg.com
About KPMG Private Enterprise
KPMG Private Enterprise advisers understand what is important to you and can help you navigate your challenges.
You know KPMG, you might not know KPMG Private Enterprise. KPMG Private Enterprise advisers in member firms around the world are dedicated to working with businesses like yours. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to get started, an innovative, fast-growing company, or an established company looking to an exit, KPMG Private Enterprise advisers understand what is important to you and can help you navigate your challenges – no matter the size or stage of your business. You gain access to KPMG’s global resources through a single point of contact – a trusted adviser to your company. It’s a local touch with a global reach.
