KPMG eyes tech startups in Romania with accelerator contest
In a bid to groom technology startups and cherry pick innovative technology expertise that can bolster its footprint, KPMG Romania is organising a tech startup competition.
Launched in collaboration with Spherik Accelerator, one of Romania’s leading accelerator institutions, the ‘KPMG Startup Grow Pad’ program aims at “helping promising local startups become competitive at a regional level,” said René Schöb, a Partner at KPMG in Romania.
However, behind the scenes, the competition also serves as a means for KPMG to come into contact – and potentially tap – some of Romania’s brightest tech ideas and talent. “We're looking to partner with B2B startups active in domains where we have expertise and clients. We see a lot of potential of improvement with the technology wave and we want to take advantage of it.”The move builds on the growing role technology is playing in the professional services industry. Technology is on the one hand disrupting client organisations, meaning that firms such as KPMG need to adapt their offerings, and on the other hand turning into one of the main competitive differentiators for business models, meaning that KPMG needs to embrace digitisation within its own ranks to stay ahead of the curve.
An open call for tech startups has been announced, and all tech startups that operate in industries/areas in which KPMG has expertise and clients are open to enter. Technologies and solutions that KPMG is seeking includes robotics process automation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, intelligent apps, data analytics and process automation.
KPMG has around 650 people – accountants, auditors, financial advisors, consultants and technology experts – in Romania, working from offices in Bucharest, Cluj, Constanta, Iasi and Timisoara.
The process will see all entries evaluated by experts from KPMG Romania and Spherik. Startups selected for the program will receive consultancy support, helping them improve various aspects of their business model and their overall go-to-market strategy. They will also be provided access to experienced mentors, who can help them deliver on road-maps and support with exploring financing options for growth.
Those startups that can demonstrate considerable value added to KPMG offerings will be offered the opportunity to forge a closer working relationship with the global accounting and consulting giant.