Member Article

Are you the Northern mobile startup KPMG is looking for?

Over the course of the next few months, Bdaily North East is on the hunt to show the region’s brightest and best app developments.

Our friends at KPMG too have mobile on the mind, now opening applications for startups in the North which can demonstrate their expertise and the benefits of their products to a panel of industry experts.

With successful applicants invited to pitch their business to a panel of judges in Manchester, I’m keen for North East businesses not to miss the region-wide opportunity.

MWC

The winner of KPMG’s regional event will be flown to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona next year in February/March for the grand finale, where they will pitch against other regional winners to a panel of global industry experts to be crowned the Best British Mobile Startup 2018.

The winners will also be provided with exhibition booths at the next Four Years From Now (4YFN) conference to showcase their businesses to a wider startup-focused audience and get access to the Mobile World Congress.

The Mobile World Congress is the world’s largest annual mobile industry gathering, organised by the GSMA. Last year the event attracted over 100,000 attendees from all parts of the world, as well as industry analysts and business leaders.

On average, the event in Barcelona hosts more than 700 investors, all of whom are searching for the next unicorn to get involved with. More than 600 new start-ups exhibit at MWC, and plenty more attend as visitors.

Graham Pearce, KPMG’s Head of Tech in the North, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best that the North has on offer in terms of mobile startups and could be a door opener or even game-changer for the winner.

“The competition offers early and growth-stage businesses the opportunity to pitch in front of major industry players looking for the next potential startup to invest in, buy from, or form an alliance with. We are looking for innovative businesses who can showcase just how strong the UK is in disruptive mobile technologies and innovative business models.

“Some of these companies could already be making a huge impact in their fields, others may be hidden gems getting ready to reveal themselves to the world.

“For the finalists this is an opportunity to get in front of the key players in the mobile industry, which could be invaluable to their growth ambitions and will open doors that can be difficult for a small enterprise to achieve on their own.

“MWC is the place where the pioneers of mobile technology will be coming together launching products, discussing ideas for the future, networking and presenting the latest innovations.

“We are proud that among the participating companies in the previous year were some of the household names in in the tech startup ecosystem, including What3Words, Babylon Health, Revolut and Your.MD, who have gone from strength to strength. I expect the competition to be very strong again.”

To find out more about how to get involved, visit KPMG’s website.