Applications open for the Best British Tech Startup competition 2019
KPMG’s Best British Tech Startup (BBTS) competition is open and marks five years of celebrating, connecting and propelling British Tech startups. Previous winners include Echo, a free NHS repeat prescription delivery and reminder app; SafeToNet, software that safeguards children and youngsters from online risks; The Link App, an easy to use lawyer-to-client communication platform and What3Words, a geocoding system for the communication of locations with a resolution of three metres.
Since launching BBTS in 2013, this annual competition has been propelling forward the game changers, the disruptors and tech titans of tomorrow. BBTS finalists receive an incredible opportunity to profile their businesses to senior corporate decision makers, investors and the media. This includes presenting their business at Mobile World Congress (MWC) and Four Years from Now (4YFN) in Barcelona – the world’s largest annual mobile industry gathering.
Applications for BBTS 2019 close at 11.59pm on Friday 23 November 2018.
The Prizes
- Pitch on one of the main stages at the 2019 Four Years From Now (4YFN) and Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.
- Exhibit at 4YFN at a dedicated, prominent booth. The conference is attended by 20,000+ founders, investors and corporate decision makers from around the world. Flight, accommodation, exhibiting platform and conference pass are included.
- Profile your business with the media before, during and after MWC, leveraging KPMG channels.
- Attend national KPMG Inspiring Speakers events with business luminaires and CEOs from leading fast growth private UK business.
Entry Criteria
Applicants are judged on three fundamental criteria:
- Innovation and disruption: with respect to business model, market approach, processes, and/or technology.
- Market potential: within existing market (and therefore taking market share) or in the creation of a new market segment.
- Traction and momentum: with respect to funding raised, established distribution channels, industry partnerships, user growth and/or and growing sales.
At latter stages of the competition such as UK pitching heats and at Mobile World Congress, applicants will also be judged on their pitch quality.
Applicants are typically in the startup phase and have innovative, proven technologies, robust business models, the ability to demonstrate traction in their activities and the potential to globally scale.
Best British Tech Startups, Essential Entry Criteria
- Will be a registered UK company
- Will have generally been operating for 5 or less years
- Will be either a pure technology or a tech-enabled business
- Will not be majority owned by a large corporate
- Must be available to pitch at UK regional events in January 2019
- Must be able to attend Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona
The process
Applications will be assessed under three categories with equal weighting to each; innovation and disruption, market potential, and momentum.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch at one of our five regional heats in January 2019. One winner from each regional heat (except for London where two will be selected) will progress to MWC in Barcelona.
The finalists will be invited to attend a VIP event in February 2019, and thereafter flown to MWC 2019 in Barcelona where they will pitch to industry experts on stage at 4YFN where one overall winner will be selected as Best British Tech Startup 2019.
Click here for further information and to apply for Best British Tech Startup 2019.
About Mobile World Congress
Mobile World Congress is the world’s largest annual mobile industry gathering. In 2018 the event attracted over 100,000 attendees from all parts of the world, including over 7,000 CEO participants, and 3,500 international media and analysts. Hundreds of investors attend the event in Barcelona all of whom are searching for the next business to get involved with. MWC Barcelona takes place from 25-28 February 2019. https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/
