News

In a little while, we will know the names of semi-finalists of KPMG What the Tech — IT startup contest, whose innovative solutions are digitalizing the business. The project is implemented by KPMG — one of the world's largest auditing and consulting firms with the Skolkovo Foundation as its partner.

Why is this initiative necessary?

KPMG is consistently advancing the competencies of its team in innovative technologies to ensure sustainable growth of clients' business and optimization of its internal services. The Company is developing own products and is proactive in working with startups.

KPMG takes interest in supporting the projects and developing functional projects using breakthrough technologies, and integration thereof in clients' solutions. We anticipate that KPMG What the Tech contest will help accelerate the process of developing and introducing the innovations, while stimulating the development of entrepreneurship and innovative infrastructure of the market in general. This initiative will enable startups to bring their products to market, advance them by taking into account feedback from real clients, and consider business logic when finalizing them.

First outcomes

From July till early September, we have been accepting applications from operating IT startups proposing accomplished solutions in the field of computer-assisted teaching, predictive analytics, allocated registers, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, etc. Although we expected to receive maximum 50 applications in the first year of the contest, over 150 startups were willing to participate. Those were startups developing a variety of innovative solutions — from training programs based on VR-technologies and online design data bases to digital twins of transport infrastructures facilities and control systems of oil and gas facilities life cycles.

What comes next?

The jury will soon announce the names of semi-finalists, whose products most organically fit into KPMG clients' solutions, as well as meet the latest demands of the market. Teams will be granted the opportunity to present their projects on the prestigious platform of the Open Innovations Forum. Contest finalists will be determined following the results of pitch sessions, for which the participants will prepare with the support of KPMG and Skolkovo Foundation experts.

Products of those companies that reached the final will be included in the catalog of KPMG recommended digital transformation solutions; the startups will also get help in elaborating individual development programs and customizing the solutions for a specific client.

Who will win? We will know on October 22 at 11:00 a.m. during the Open Innovations Forum!