Become the Dutch greatest innovator

On July 7th the most exciting and innovative Dutch startups will compete in the Global Tech Innovator. At this event, the finalists of the competition will pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to a panel of industry experts. Following the pitches of the finalists the jury will crown them as national champion after which the celebrations begin.

The Dutch startup ecosystem is internationally renowned for its open culture and emphasis on innovation. As KPMG we want to give your company the chance to own the stage and bring your startup to the next level. 

Global glory awaits…

Will you be the winner of the Dutch competition? You receive global exposure and recognition as you will go on to compete against 23 other winners at the global competition during Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal in November 2022. 

Event details

Date: July 7th

Time: 14:00h – 19:00h (CET)

Location: Amsterdam (venue will be announced soon)

Application portal is closed

How to enter

To get started, tell us about you, your business and your ambitions.

Competition details

This is your time to shine!

  • Connect with the most important players of the Dutch startup ecosystem (investors, incubators, accelerators etc.)
  • Get on stage and receive exposure and recognition for your company
  • Take your place in the global ecosystem when you win and join us to Websummit in Lisbon in November

What makes a winner?

Applicants are typically technology entrepreneurs who are successfully making the transition from the start-up 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 Netherlands
  • 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
  • Conduct all pitches in English
  • Available to pitch at our event on July 7th 2022 in Amsterdam
  • If selected as the Dutch finalist, be available to pitch at the global final at Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal in November 2022

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:

  1. Disruption and innovation
  2. Market potential
  3. Customer adoption
  4. Market traction and marketing
  5. Long-term potential
  6. Pitch quality

The decisions of the panel will be final.

Apply here >>

Applications

Q: How can I participate in the competition?

A: To enter the competition, you must fill out the online application form for your company before the application deadline of 27th May.

Q: Who can apply?

A: Any technology entrepreneur that has operated for less than 5 years and is registered and based in The Netherlands 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 The Netherlands and aged 18 years or over. KPMG employees and contractors are prohibited from entering the competition.

Q: When can I apply?

A: Applications are open from 15st April and close on 27th May. All applications must be received by Friday 27th May.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of entries?

A: 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?

A: 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, 2021 revenue figures and projections for 2022
  • A high-resolution image of your company logo

Selection Criteria

Q: How do I know if my company qualifies?

A: 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.

Q: What stage should my company be at to be considered?

A: We are looking for companies that have been operating for 5 years or less and must have a viable product or service.

Pitching

Q: What is the pitching format?

A: Each company will be given a total of approximately 10 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.

Q: What is the judging criteria?

A: 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.

Winners

Q: What do winners get?

A: Irish winners will receive exposure and recognition through local media coverage and KPMG corporate channels. The Irish winners will also be put forward as finalists in the Global Tech Innovator competition, which will take place in November 2022.

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.

Q: How and when will the winners be notified?

A: Irish 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 2022.

Further information

Q: What are the costs involved in participation?

A: 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.

Q: Is there any publicity involved?

A: KPMG 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.

Q: 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.

Q: Who do I get in touch with for further information?

A: For any further information please email lucassen.pien@kpmg.nl.

  • Friday April 15th – Applications open
  • Friday May 27th – Applications close
  • Thursday July 7th – Dutch final
  • November 2022 – Global final (Lisbon)

  

Compete on the global stage

The countries/regions/jurisdictions participating in the 2022 competition include: Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Israel, India, Japan, Denmark, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan,  the UK and the US.

The KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition showcases entrepreneurs across industries who are innovating to become the tech leaders of tomorrow.

Do you have what it takes? Apply now ›

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Last year's competition