Now in its fifth year, KPMG’s Global Tech Innovator competition is on the lookout for Ireland’s next top tech innovator.
The competition is open to Irish tech founders and entrepreneurs who are involved in pure technology, tech-enabled, tech-led, or tech-driven ventures and are ready to advance to the next stage of growth.
HOW TO ENTER
Participating in the KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition is straightforward.
Shortlisted entrants will be invited to pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to a panel of judges, which includes successful entrepreneurs and investors.
Applications must be submitted during May, and all entrants must be available to appear in person for the Ireland final, which will be held in Dublin on June 17, 2025.
Commenting on the launch of this year’s competition, Anna Scally, Ireland and EMA Region Head of Technology Media & Telecoms, KPMG, said: “We invite all tech innovators across Ireland to participate in this competition.
“It provides them with a platform to showcase their innovations on a global stage, elevate their businesses to new heights and 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.”
The Irish winner will advance to the Global Tech Innovator final in Lisbon in November. Additional prizes include representing Ireland on the global stage, receiving mentorship from KPMG professionals, and gaining access to exclusive networking events.
PREVIOUS IRISH FINALISTS
Last year, Emma Meehan, founder, CEO and CTO of Precision Sports Technology, took the top spot in the Irish competition and went on to represent Ireland, competing against 22 other country finalists in the global final.
Reflecting on her experience, Emma said: “The opportunity to represent Ireland on a global stage was invaluable and provided us with an excellent opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge software.
“My advice to companies considering entering the competition this year would be to do it and enjoy the experience”.
Other previous Irish finalists include Conor Sheridan, founder and CEO of Dublin-based Nory, an AI-powered operating system for the hospitality industry; Barry Lunn from Limerick-based Provizio, an Irish accident prevention technology firm; and Terry Canning from Belfast-based CattleEye, the world’s first hardware-independent autonomous livestock monitoring platform.
Emma added: “Being a finalist and the overall Irish winner in the 2024 KPMG GTI competition was transformative.
“The mentorship and guidance from KPMG experts were excellent and the networking opportunities and national and global exposure significantly boosted my business profile and connected me with key industry influencers.”
ARE YOU IRELAND’S NEXT TECH GIANT?
The competition is open to all technology or technology enabled companies which have operated for seven years or less, have generated revenue of between USD $1-15m (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 globally.
The 2025 competition will include technology innovators from 20 countries and regions, including Austria, Brazil, Colombia, East Africa, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Southern Africa, Sweden, Turkey, UK and the US.
To enter and find out more about the competition, visit www.kpmg.ie/GTI
Photo: L-R: Anna Scally, Ireland and EMA Region Head of Technology Media & Telecoms, KPMG and Emma Meehan, founder, CEO and CTO of Precision Sports Technology and winner of KPMG Global Tech Innovator Ireland 2024
