Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – KPMG Saudi Arabia has launched the 5th edition of its flagship Global Tech Innovator (GTI) competition, offering the country’s most ambitious startups an opportunity to showcase their innovations and compete for global recognition.
Applications opened on April 17, 2025, and are open to startups across Saudi Arabia. The local finals will take place on 27 August 2025 at KPMG’s head office in Riyadh, with the winner going on to represent Saudi Arabia at the global finals alongside innovators from around the world.
The GTI competition is open to early-stage and growth-stage entrepreneurs building scalable, tech-enabled businesses across various domains such as FinTech, HealthTech, AI, and Sustainability.
On this occasion, Dr. Samer Abdallah, Partner and Head of ICT Sector at KPMG Saudi Arabia and Chair of the Judges Panel, said:
“We are witnessing a surge in innovation and entrepreneurial ambition in the region. The GTI competition provides a powerful launchpad for Saudi startups to gain international exposure, connect with industry leaders, and accelerate their growth.”
Last year’s winner, Saudi-based Ejari, impressed judges with its ‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ platform, which redefined the traditional rental model in the Kingdom. Ejari represented Saudi Arabia at the global finals in Lisbon.
In 2024, the competition attracted over 1,500 applicants from 23 countries, including Japan, China, UAE, UK, and more. The global winner was Thermalytica Inc. from Japan for its advanced thermal insulation technology.
Since its inception, GTI has recognized five global winners, offering them exposure at premier innovation forums, access to investors, mentorship from KPMG leaders, and international media coverage.
Apply now: www.kpmg.com
