Are you the next Global Tech Innovator?
The KPMG Global Tech Innovator is an annual competition that celebrates the most innovative tech companies around the globe that have the potential to leave a lasting and positive impact on the world.
Now in its fifth year, the competition seeks to bring together the brightest minds in technology innovations. If you’re ready to demonstrate how your technology can make a difference in the world, this could be your moment – to challenge the status quo, introduce tech solutions through your own unique lens and open up a window to the future.
About the Dutch Tech Innovator Competition
The global event kicks off with national competitions in 20 countries, with the winners from each country competing in the global final in Lisbon.
On 18 June 2025, we’re hosting the national competition for the Netherlands to find the next Dutch Tech Innovator. 6 finalists will be selected to pitch in the Dutch competition, with the winner going on to compete in the global final.
Our finalists
- Thomas Vles, Co-founder and CEO at GoDutch
- Lotte Welten, Founder and CEO at The Selection Lab
- Gijs Coppens, Co-founder and CEO at OpenUp
- Anastasia Kuskova, Co-founder and CEO at beSirius
- Johnatan Bringas Dimitriades, Co-founder and CEO at Lapsi Health
- Juliette van der Lof, Project Lead at Carbyon
- Jeroen Glansdorp, Founder and CEO at Veridis
Event details
June 18, 2025
Time: 16:45-19:30 (CET)
Location: Atelier de Vijzel in Amsterdam
What’s in it for you?
If you’re selected as one of the 6 finalists, you’ll get:
Recognition and exposure as one of the rising stars of the Netherlands
A free ticket for TNW Conference 2025
Access to exclusive finalists perks, including pitch training and support from the Emerging Giants team
If you are crowned the Dutch Tech Innovator 2025, you’ll also win:
A spot in the global final, where you’ll compete against ~20 other country winners, with travel expenses covered by KPMG
Be part of our global community of high-achieving tech entrepreneurs from around the world
Media and mentorship opportunities as part of the global final program
Application Criteria
Applicants are typically tech 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 7 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 18 June in Amsterdam
If selected as the Dutch finalist, be available to pitch at the global final at in Lisbon, Portugal in mid-November 2025
Judging Criteria
What are we looking for?
The pitches will be judged by a panel of industry experts who will listen to the pitch, and ask some follow up questions.
All applications will be scored based on six, equally-weighted criteria:
- Disruption and innovation
- Market potential
- Customer adoption
- Market traction and marketing
- Long-term potential
- Pitch quality
The decision of the panel is final.
Which countries are participating in the Global Tech Innovator 2025?
At the global final, 20 tech entrepreneurs from around the world will take the stage. These will be the winners of their respective national countries, representing:
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.
Q: What information do I need to provide in my application?
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, 2024 revenue figures and projections for 2025
A high-resolution image of your company logo
Q: What is the pitching format?
A: Each company will have 2 minutes to pitch, followed by 3 minutes of Q&A with the judging panel. Supporting slides are allowed, and must be delivered in Microsoft PowerPoint or PDF file format. A detailed pack outlining requirements will be shared with shortlisted businesses before the event.
Q: How and when will the winners be notified?
A: The Dutch winner will be announced on the day of the event after the jury has deliberated. The Global Tech Innovator winner will be announced on stage (in person and virtually) in November 2025.
Q: What are the costs involved in participation?
A: There is no cost involved for entering into the competition, although all costs related to attendance at Dutch finals must be covered by the participants themselves. KPMG will cover the cost of standard class flights/travel, and accommodation for finalist who is invited to present in Lisbon in November.
Q: Is there any publicity involved?
A: KPMG will be promoting the competition in the run up and after the event. By entering the competition, you agree that your company name and logo may be promoted in relation to 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 sayers.izzy@kpmg.nl
Meet our 2024 winner
In 2024, the winner of the Dutch Tech Innovator was Incooling– an Eindhoven-based high-tech company that is on a mission to “cool down the planet one server at a time” with their innovative server cooling system. The company was founded to tackle the issue of the enormous amount of energy used by data centers around the world. The startup has run a successful pilot project with ASML, and plan to work together further in the future.
