After a record number of entries and hours of pitching to judges, eight businesses representing the very best of innovation from across the UK have been selected to head to the national final where they’ll battle it out to be crowned KPMG Private Enterprise’s Tech Innovator in the UK.
This year we are celebrating 10 years of our UK Tech Innovator competition and the search to find the best of British technology. We had nearly 400 applications to the competition representing the best of new technology coming from regions across the UK.
Our team spent hours assessing applications to come up with a list of eighty innovators from eight regions across the UK. What we noticed from this year’s list of shortlisted businesses was the diversity of technology that is being developed across the UK.
Cleantech and healthtech scaleups dominated the list of shortlisted businesses as the UK looks to take a lead in addressing global issues affecting the environment and championing tech that can lead to much better health outcomes for an ageing population.
Fintech also remains popular – building on the UK’s global reputation as a leader in this field. Whilst we saw a growing number of businesses offer sector-specific technology solutions across retailtech, sportstech and agritech. Of course, this year we also saw a number of businesses using robotics and AI help with issues around productivity and efficiency.
So, let’s take a look at the final eight and the people behind the innovation as they head to the UK final on 24 July.
Mimicrete – Representing the East of England
Mimicrete is a startup from the University of Cambridge, founded with a mission to revolutionise the construction industry by reducing the environmental impact and maintenance costs of infrastructure through cutting-edge self-healing concrete technology. Our goal is to promote lasting construction and infrastructure by establishing our advanced self-healing concrete technology as a global standard.
By constantly innovating, our ambition is to transform the construction industry’s norms, focusing on creating structures that are not just safe and resilient, but designed to withstand the test of time.
Why did you enter the competition?
Dr Liz Zijing Li co-founder & COO, Mimicrete: The Tech Innovator in the UK competition from KPMG is a prestigious event that could leverage our exposure and bring in invaluable resources to our business growth. As a tech innovator myself, attending this event will also be a great opportunity to meet other like-minded tech innovators, and become part of this community.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
Zijing: It is a pleasure to be selected as the winner of the East of England heat, and we look forward to showcasing our technology to a much wider group at the UK Final.
What do you think the future holds for your business?
Zijing: As sustainability and resilience become increasingly important in the built environment, our solution is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the industry. We are confident that Mimicrete will play a significant role in shaping the future of sustainable construction and making a lasting impact on communities worldwide.
Oaktree Power – Representing London
OakTree Power is a leading climate tech scaleup based in London that partners with global grid operators and large electrical consumers to enable the ongoing transition towards the fully sustainable electricity system of the future. Its goal is to reduce electrical consumption that will reduce cost, Co2, and earn new revenues by supporting the local/national grids transition to Net Zero, with no up-front cost – managed by an AI platform that monitors, manages, and mitigates consumption – providing full transparency of data-driven decisions.
Why did you enter the competition?
Michael Cox, director of corporate partnerships, Oaktree: OakTree Power want to showcase our unique combination of digital solutions to large electricity users that want to improve their environmental performance without any upfront cost.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
Cox: We look forward to opportunities to raise awareness on how large electrical consumers can play a pivotal role in the transition to Net Zero and be rewarded with new revenue streams.
What do you think the future holds for your business?
Cox: With a strong customer base in the UK, and multiple contracts with large global multinational FM (Facilities Management) providers and several international real estate groups, we foresee greater expansion beyond the UK into Europe with a strong focus on Germany, France, Belgium, Netherland, Poland, and Serbia. We also aim to also use case studies to expand our footprint and actively pursue opportunities in APAC and the Americas.
Goldilock – Representing the Midlands
Midlands-based Goldilock developed Drawbridge, a revolutionary cybersecurity solution to enable users to physically segment their digital assets, devices, networks … in fact literally anything remotely and without using the internet to do it. Its technology ensures that assets are unreachable and inaccessible to adversaries and only physically connected to the internet when needed.
Why did you enter the competition?
Stephen Kines, COO/co-founder, Goldilock: We have invented and developed a technology that Cisco’s principal architect called a “game-changer”. In particular, with the heightened state of hostile nation-state attacks on the critical national infrastructure of UK and its allies that can lead to loss of life, protecting these assets is an urgent necessity. As a young company, we need to punch above our weight to get recognised and events like this help shine the spotlight and provide a halo effect.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
Kines: We are extremely proud of our Midlands base and want to highlight the ability to have out-of-box thinking outside traditional centres. Already we have both a majority ethnically diverse and neuro-divergent team in our R&D&production facility in Wolverhampton and our youngest engineer won the Young Tech Talent of the Year award in December. Highlighting the Midlands’ central importance as UK’s industrial heartland is important when Factory 4.0 in the new age is so much under threat from attacks lead by AI-enabled technology and increased geopolitical conflict with Russia and China.
What do you think the future holds for your business?
Kines: We have received huge support from the Ministry of Defence’s Dstl and DASA departments as well as the Ministry of Business & Trade’s Defence & Security Exports department to launch Goldilock Defence this summer. We will be deploying our military-grade technology to protect all industrial control systems and the defence sector, and eventually a Goldilock in every home. The scale of our ambition is significant, but so is the threat posed by the constant connectedness of today’s industries and companies and the reliance and exponential increase in our cyberattack surface.
Inovus Medical – Representing the North West
St Helens-based Inovus Medical is a designer and manufacturer of surgical training technologies. Co-founders Elliot (the medic) and Jordan (the engineer) founded the business in 2012 having spotted an opportunity to improve surgical care through connected surgical training. The startup’s mission is to become the world’s partner for surgical training.
Why did you enter the competition?
Dr Elliot Street, CEO, Inovus Medical: The KPMG Tech Innovator in the UK is one of the pre-eminent, tech-focussed business awards in the country and as such has an incredibly high calibre of business applying to the awards. As a business, we like to challenge ourselves and couldn’t think of a better way to be challenged than to compete against the best tech businesses in the UK. The competition gives us a unique opportunity to interreact and learn from those other businesses and, if successful, gain one of the highest accolades a tech company can achieve in a UK business award which brings with it the invaluable positive PR and reputational capital to support ongoing fundraises and business activity.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
Street: Interacting with, and learning from the other regional winners, and having the opportunity to share our mission with the wider tech ecosystem across the UK.
What do you think the future holds for your business?
Street: We hope the future will see us achieve our mission of becoming the world’s partner for surgical training, which will mean every surgeon, in every speciality utilising our platform to learn how to operate safely, away from the patient bedside. Achieving our mission will allow us to help train the 500,000 more surgeons we desperately need to keep pace with demands for surgical care across the globe.
Leap Automation – Representing Scotland
Aberdeen-based Leap Automation build intelligent robots that automate repetitive tasks for the food sector. Designed, built and serviced by Leap Automation in the UK, its in-house robots are backed by an AI-driven software platform to produce an unrivalled user experience, productivity and price point.
Why did you enter the competition?
Ben Stuart, co-CEO, Leap Automation: We’re super proud of the tech our team have developed and the competition provided a unique opportunity to showcase this. We were also really impressed with the calibre of past participants.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
Stuart: Meeting the other finalists – it will be exciting to share the stage with a diverse group of entrepreneurs from around the country. ·
What do you think the future holds for your business?
Stuart: Delivering additional value to our customers through further product development and ramping up the deployment of our intelligent robots. We also have grand plans for our AI platform which we believe will transform the way people interact with robots!
Electrogenos – Representing the South
Based in Oxford, Electrogenos is reshaping the hydrogen production industry with a unique manufacturing process that drastically cuts capex costs and reduces deployment time, utilising flexible and scalable soft-tooling techniques. Our use of a proprietary, sustainable hydrogen catalyst gives us a competitive edge, significantly reducing opex costs by avoiding scarce rare earth metals, making hydrogen production more accessible and environmentally friendly.
Why did you enter the competition?
Alfredo Saenger, COO and co-founder, Electrogenos: We entered the competition to gain exposure and inspire others in our industry to innovate. At Electrogenos, we’re particularly passionate about combating climate change and believe that competitions like this can help foster the growth of innovative, sustainable technologies. We also see this as an opportunity to build supportive networks and partnerships – we firmly believe that we’re part of a value chain and that collaborative efforts are crucial for transformative change in the sector.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
Saenger: We’re eagerly anticipating the opportunity to present our groundbreaking hydrogen production technology and connect with other thought leaders, investors, and potential partners. We hope our participation will not only highlight the significant strides we’re making at Electrogenos but also spark further conversations around the role of innovation in combating climate change. Moreover, we’re excited to learn from our fellow competitors and explore potential synergies.
What do you think the future holds for your business?
Saenger: Electrogenos is at the forefront of revolutionising hydrogen production through efficient, affordable, and sustainable alkaline electrolysers. As we move forward, we plan to scale our manufacturing capabilities and strengthen our global footprint. However, our vision extends beyond business growth. We aspire to lead the hydrogen revolution, showcasing its potential in achieving global sustainability goals. We also plan to continue driving innovation in our field, fostering partnerships, and championing sustainable development.
TrimTabs – Representing the South West & Wales
Swansea-based TrimTabs strives to drive innovation, create positive change, and promote sustainability with cutting-edge circular economy technology to make high-quality carbon nanotubes. The name was inspired by the American architect and engineer Buckminster Fuller, TrimTabs Ltd focuses on sustainability and the power of small actions, which sees them leading the way to a better future for everyone.
Why did you enter the competition?
Professor Alvin Orbaek White, CEO and CTO, TrimTabs: Entering the competition hosted by KPMG was a strategic move to propel our market presence. We recognised the opportunity to broaden our networks and unlock new growth avenues for maximizing the value we deliver to both current and future customers.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
White: There is a very high bar to entry and I expect to meet incredibly dynamic and interested business leaders.
What do you think the future holds for your business?
White: We are optimistic and confident in our ability to thrive in a dynamic market. As we continue to innovate, adapt, and forge strategic alliances, we are poised for continued growth and success. With a keen focus on customer satisfaction and sustainability, we are well-positioned to lead industry trends and shape the landscape of tomorrow.
iethico – Representing the North East
Harrogate-based iethico has developed an AI-powered digital platform to mitigate the increasing problem of global drug shortages to ensure optimal sourcing and distribution of existing supplies in a timely and logistically efficient manner. The startup connects pharmacists with medicines for patients through a unique, one-of-a-kind solution that links medicines and access together. Its mission is to radically shift and transform the way medicines are accessed, and reverse the growing and negative impact of drug shortages.
Why did you enter the competition?
Debra Ainge, CEO, iethico: As a startup we are always looking for opportunities to raise the profile of our organisation and we hoped that if we could make it far in the competition, the global brand and reach of KPMG would be a positive association for us.
What are you most looking forward to at the UK final?
Ainge: We are really excited about meeting the other innovators and hearing more about the work they are doing and the judges and guests from KPMG. Mostly I am excited to see if I can make the pitch a bit more slick and stick to the time we’ve been given – that will be my biggest challenge!
What do you think the future holds for your business?
Ainge: Receiving recognition from the judges and a strong brand like KPMG is a real boost for us as a startup business which is still very early in our journey. Having the support to help us with our ambitious growth plans will be invaluable.
The final of the UK Tech Innovator on 24 July is open to the public to watch virtually. Register here to attend and vote for your winner.
In partnership with KPMG.