Tech
Edinburgh-based firm represents Scotland in KPMG tech competition
OGI Bio has beaten off competition from nine national start-ups to be crowned Scotland Tech Innovator in KPMG’s search for the UK’s most exciting technology businesses.
The Edinburgh-based microbiology firm was one of nearly 400 businesses that applied to the UK competition. After pitching in a regional heat, co-founder and chief executive Alex McVey impressed a panel of judges in a further competition held earlier this month.
Amy Burnett, head of KPMG Private Enterprise Access, said: “In 2024 Scotland received its highest ever number of applications for the tech innovator in the UK competition.
“The judges had a tough time selecting a winner from a mix of web3, life sciences, fintech and AI businesses.
“In the end, the judges were impressed by the story that OGI Bio told – solving a problem from a lived experience, with a clearly articulated product that solves a real need.”
Runner up in the Scotland heat was Microplate Dx, a Glasgow-based start-up specialising in rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing diagnostics.
McVey said: “There is a fantastic wealth of innovation happening right now in Scotland and that was reflected in the other companies we were up against, so it’s a real honour that the judges selected us.
“I’m really looking forward to the UK heat in London, where it will be a great opportunity to showcase OGI Bio on a national stage.“
The nationwide competition, which is now in its 11th year, has uncovered British tech innovators including What3Words, Inovus Medical and 2022 winner HiiROC, which went on to win the global final during Web Summit.
OGI Bio will now progress to the national final which will be held in London during July. The overall winner will then go on to represent the UK at a global final, which takes place alongside Web Summit in November, vying for the crown the 2024 KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator.
The UK finalists who bidding for the title on 23 July are:
- Cellexcel – East of England winner.
- Spinview UK – London winner.
- Halocycle – North east winner.
- Graphene Innovations Manchester – North west winner.
- OGI Bio – Scotland winner.
- Infinitopes – South central winner.
- Glaia – South west and Wales winner.
- NetZeroNitrogen – Midlands.
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