Automated manufacturing systems for scalable stem cell production, focused on supporting regenerative medicine for the most disabling neurological conditions, such as strokes. The development of autonomous robotic spacecraft directed at tackling the growing problem of space debris, a growing concern as millions of small objects orbit Earth, with satellites being sent into space at a record rate. And the engineering of new, sustainable uses for the plastic waste which threatens marine environments, enabling the cleaning up of oceans while simultaneously returning recycled plastic to the supply chain economy.
These are just some of the varied and enterprising applications of the world’s most ambitious tech scaleups: 18 of which will be appearing to pitch on the global stage at the final of the KPMG Global Tech Innovator Competition on 11th November 2026 at Web Summit Lisbon in Portugal, competing for the title of being the global tech innovator.
For the past five years, KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition has showcased hundreds of visionary entrepreneurs and groundbreaking technologies that go on to shape industries, solve big-ticket real-world challenges, and make a difference around the globe.
The guiding ethos of the competition is that while the world continues to evolve, some of the world’s finest minds continue to keep pace and ensure real progress happens. Whether that is development of new nanosatellite technology to improve wildfire and severe weather forecasting or more cost-effective and sustainable ways to manufacture semiconductors, when innovators have the platform to turn bold ideas into reality.
Indeed, in its sixth year, the KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition brings together bold scaleups from countries across the world. The 2026 programme has attracted more than 1,300 applicants globally, qualifying from regional pitch competitions leading to the global final in November.
Following national and regional pitch events, and ahead of the 2026 finals, forward-thinking finalists from Brazil, Sweden, Colombia, Kenya and India (as well as many more) from a wide variety of the most advanced industries including AgriTech, biotech, AI and deeptech, robotics, clean manufacturing and fintech are preparing to compete for this year’s title of KPMG Global Tech Innovator 2026.
They are preparing to showcase technologies designed to transform industries, empower communities and redefine markets, offering media and attendees a front-row seat of just what exactly emerging companies are doing to develop practical, high-growth technologies across areas including artificial intelligence, sustainability, health, enterprise transformation and digital infrastructure.
This year’s competition comes as investors, policymakers and business leaders continue to focus on technologies that can scale responsibly and solve real-world challenges. From intelligent systems and AI governance to climate-focused innovation and health technologies, the 2026 finalists reflect the breadth of innovation shaping the next wave of growth. In addition, the KPMG Innovator final provides journalists and potential investors an opportunity to hear directly from founders who are developing solutions for everything from cross-border revenue compliance to critical incident response at sea, and real-time voice translation for AI devices. Providing early access to the founders who may go on to secure global recognition and turn compelling pitches into workable, international growth, shaping markets, industry and our shared future.
These finalists, as well as others in the 18, will pitch in front of judges drawn from the global technology, venture capital and innovation ecosystem, the kinds of decision-makers who can assess not only the strength of an idea, but its commercial traction, market potential, societal impact and ability to scale.
For participants, the competition is more than a moment on stage. Finalists gain access to national and global exposure, media visibility, recognition with investors, potential partners and customers, a peer network of high-growth entrepreneurs, and guidance from KPMG mentors and advisers as they refine their propositions and navigate the next stage of growth. Indeed, previous winners show the importance of the KPMG Global Tech Innovator Competition platform.
With sustainability a large in-tray item for industry and government alike, recent years have seen clean tech firms win, using the competition platform to effectively scale. In 2022, HiiROC, a UK clean hydrogen scale-up, was named Global Tech Innovator, a key moment in the business’s expansion, and prior to winning additional investment for US expansion as well as winning financial injections from some of the biggest sector stalwarts. Similarly, PlasticFri, the Swedish sustainability company (now Grale), won in 2023 for turning agricultural waste into plastic-free alternatives, and has since secured multiple funding rounds. Japan’s Rhinoflux, which took the top prize in 2025 for its work unlocking biomass to create clean energy more economically, went on to secure incubator and accelerator funding.
But the common thread for KPMG Global Tech Innovator Competition finalists, in every year, is bigger than any one sector: it’s to use the platform to showcase the commercial viability of solutions designed to address real-world challenges at scale, improving investor and customer recognition and helping to shape markets, for better, into the future.
Finalists below:
- Africas: EcoRich
- Austria: AURIMOD
- Brazil: TissueLabs
- Colombia: Kiggu
- France: Glanceable
- Germany: OroraTech
- India: Cosmoserve Space
- Ireland: Disseqt AI Limited
- Japan: Rainbow Inc
- Mexico: Quinta Tech
- Netherlands: healix
- Portugal: Lampsy
- Philippines: Prosperna
- Saudi Arabia: SDM
- Sweden: AlixLabs
- Taiwan: VMFi
- UK: Zelim
- USA: Sphere
