Japan’s Rhinoflux has taken home the top prize for its visionary capability of unlocking biomass to create clean energy economically in the 2025 KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator competition.
On November 12th, 21 national winners made their final pitches to four industry-leading judges to select the 2025 KPMG Global Tech Innovator winner. Before a sizeable Web Summit audience in Lisbon, Portugal, KPMG Private Enterprise announced that Japan and Rhinoflux has been named the 2025 Global Tech Innovator winner for its unique ability to unlock biomass to create clean energy at a reduced cost.
“We are honored to be recognized on the global stage for the impact of our innovation. The award is a testament to the incredible dedication of our team and our shared commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition, said Rhinoflux Co Founder & CEO, Alex Mazawa. “At Rhinoflux, we believe technology has the power to reshape industries and protect our planet, and this recognition fuels our drive to reshape industries and protect our planet” Mazawa added.
Hiroshi Abe KPMG Partner in Japan added, “We’re proud to see Rhinoflux recognized as this year’s Global Tech Innovator winner. Their success not only reflects their remarkable innovation and vision, but it also showcases Japan’s consistent presence as a deep-tech startup hub leader in the global technology landscape. Congratulations for bringing home this year’s Global Tech Innovator crown and recognition to our entire nation of innovators.”
First runner-up was Ireland’s Akara, developers of automated AI sensors, robotics and advanced analytics for surgical use with India’s StepOut, a cutting-edge sports performance and analytics startup taking the second runner-up position.
The competition’s host, Conor Moore, Global and Americas Leader of KPMG Private Enterprise added, “KPMG Private Enterprise applauds all of the country winners who competed in this year’s Global Tech Innovator final. Now in its fifth year, the competition drew more than 1,300 applicants from 21 countries and jurisdictions—a testament to the strength and reach of our mission to uncover and celebrate the world’s most innovative and impactful tech visionaries.
“Each year, we continue to see remarkable solutions that push boundaries and create meaningful change. This year was no exception, with 21 finalists who continued to exemplify the spirit of innovation that drives real progress. Each has demonstrated what’s possible when we all come together to reimagine the future. Congratulations to Rhinoflux and Alex Mazawa, in helping to make a real difference in the world.”
The panel of international judges for the 2025 competition included:
- Emily Fontaine, IBM Ventures
- Eoin Duane, Insight Partners
- Carolin Wais, Plug and Play
- Eugene Malobrodsky, One Way Ventures
The 2025 finalists included:
Austria – enspired
Automated energy trading and battery storage solutions
Brazil – 02Eco
Smart water regeneration to cut waste, chemicals, and CO₂
Colombia – Salva Health
Making healthcare more equitable and proactive
East Africa – Zendawa
Turning local pharmacies into digital health powerhouses
Estonia – ÄIO
Precision fermentation to turn industrial by-products into valuable resources
Finland – Flow Computing
Transforming how CPUs perform and scale
Germany – Traceless Minerals
Turning agricultural waste into compostable biomaterials
India – StepOut
A cutting-edge sports performance and analytics startup
Ireland – Akara
Transforming hospital efficiency with AI-powered sensors, robotics and advanced analytics
Japan – Rhinoflux
Unlocking biomass to create clean energy at less cost
Mexico – Microendo XXX
Environmental innovation to improve crop fertilization
Netherlands – Selection Lab
Software and technology to make employee hiring fairer, more objective, efficient
Philippines – Betterteam AI
Empowering companies to retain top talent by enhancing the employee experience
Portugal – Ethiack S.A.
AI-powered proactive cybersecurity
Saudi Arabia – NanoPalm
A nanoparticle-based drug delivery platform
South Africa – Altify
A regulated alternative investment platform
Sweden – Rebaba
Turning upcycled EV batteries into powerful, circular energy storage systems
Turkey – Werover
AI-powered monitoring to help wind operators predict blade damage
United Arab Emirates – Electrogenos Magan
Unlocking hydrogen for heavy industry, transport, and energy storage
United Kingdom – Inicio AI
An AI-generated virtual agent to help consumers manage their income and expenses
United States – CARPL
Integration of AI radiology solutions into medical center and healthcare providers clinical practices
About the competition
The inaugural KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition was introduced in 2021. In the first year of the global competition, 17 countries and jurisdictions participated in the competition. The competition has grown to include 21 countries and jurisdictions from mature and emerging markets, with more than 1,300 applicants in 2025.
Companies from the startup to growth stages are invited to pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to panels of local and global industry experts for the opportunity to be recognized as a leading technology innovator in their country and ultimately on the global stage.
