KPMG Announces Elite ​Judging Panel for Global ​Tech Innovator Competition

  • KPMG ​has announced the distinguished ​judging panel for the local round ​of ​its ​Global ​Tech Innovator competition, now in its ​sixth ​year. Tech ​start-ups based in ​Northern Ireland and the ​Republic ​of Ireland are invited to ​apply by ​midnight on Friday, 12th June.

    The winner will advance to ​the global ​finals in ​November, ​joining representatives ​from more than 20 countries. For ​founders across the island, ​this means ​the opportunity ​to ​showcase ​their business on an international stage alongside peers from ​leading innovation ​hubs ​across ​Europe, ​North ​America and Asia.

    Jess ​Kelly, an ​award-winning tech ​journalist and broadcaster ​will ​once again ​host the ​competition. As the presenter ​of Tech ​Talk ​on ​Newstalk, Ireland's only national radio show ​dedicated to ​technology, ​Jess brings ​deep expertise and a ​unique ​perspective to ​the stage.

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    Anna ​Scally, Global Head of ​Technology, Media & Telecommunications, ​KPMG, said:

    "Following last ​year's success, when our ​finalist, ​Akara, finished as first runner-up ​at the global final, ​we ​are ​looking ​for our next ambitious tech founder ready to compete on ​the world ​stage. ​We ​are delighted ​to ​welcome an exceptional panel of judges ​to this year's ​competition. ​With ​their diverse backgrounds in investment, ​leadership and advisory, ​we're ​confident we can pinpoint ​the ​next top tech innovator ​from Northern Ireland or ​the ​Republic ​of ​Ireland."

    The ​judges include Cyril McGuire, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, CEO, Infinity ​Capital; Colin ​Goulding, Director, Google; Caroline ​Gaynor, Partner, ​Lightstone Ventures and current ​Chair of ​the ​IVCA, Conor ​Stanley, ​Founder, ​Tribal.vc and Anna ​Scally, Global Head of ​Technology, ​Media, and ​Telecommunications, KPMG.

    Are ​you ​the ​next 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 ​Northern Ireland or ​the ​Republic ​of ​Ireland. 
    • Have ​been actively operating ​for 7 years or less (in ​the current ​form).
    • Have ​generated ​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.
    • All ​entrants ​must be available ​to ​appear in person for the final, ​which will ​be ​held in Dublin on 30thJune.

    The winner will advance to ​the Global ​Tech Innovator final ​in Lisbon in ​November. Additional prizes ​include representing Northern Ireland and ​Ireland on ​the global stage, receiving ​mentorship from KPMG ​professionals, ​and gaining ​access ​to ​exclusive networking events.

    For ​more information ​and to apply, visit www.kpmg.ie/GTI

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