Fourth annual Global Tech Innovator competition launched in Saudi Arabia

KPMG has announced the launch of the fourth annual KPMG Global Tech Innovator (GTI) competition in Saudi Arabia. This competition is designed to highlight and accelerate the most promising tech innovations and tech-enabled solutions from across the kingdom, elevating them to a global platform.

The application process is now open and will conclude on 30 June 2024. The local finals are scheduled for 28 August 2024, at KPMG’s head office in Riyadh. The champion these finals will advance to the global finals at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, competing against finalists from over 25 countries.

Reflecting on last year’s success, the 2023 GTI competition was highlighted by the victory of Netzero, a company that offers innovative solutions for companies in Saudi Arabia to offset their carbon emissions. Their approach includes streamlining the deployment of nature-based solutions and afforestation in a cost-effective and transparent manner.

Netzero emerged as the winner among six strong finalists—BuildNow, CarTrust, Lendo, MUNJZ, Rology, and Silky Systems—who were selected from over 70 eligible applicants, showcasing the high calibre of competition and the innovative spirit of Saudi entrepreneurs.

Samer Abdallah, Head of ICT Sector for KPMG in Saudi Arabia and judge at the GTI competition commented: “By providing a platform for visibility and growth, KPMG is committed to supporting the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s tech innovators. The GTI competition not only showcases the ingenuity present within our borders but also aligns perfectly with the strategic goals of Vision 2030, propelling Saudi Arabia towards becoming a global hub for innovation.”

Participants will be evaluated based on their innovation, market potential, customer adoption, market traction, long-term potential, and pitch quality. Early applications are encouraged to take full advantage of KPMG’s extensive network of business professionals who provide support during and after the competition.

Interested startups and entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their applications through the official KPMG GTI competition application page.

The competition is in partnership with the General Authority for SMEs (Monsha’at), reflecting the competition’s prestige and its significant role in advancing technological innovation and entrepreneurship across the region.

For more information and applications: https://kpmg.com/sa/en/home/insights/2024/03/kpmg-private-enterprise-tech-innovator-in-saudi-arabia.html