What does KPMG offer start-ups?

25 European Corporate Startup Stars reveals which large companies are doing the most to support new firms. These case studies highlight some specific examples of active and successful collaboration between corporates and start-ups.

A good example of…

Solving business problems with start-ups

European Headquarters: London (KPMG UK) and the Netherlands (KPMG Global)

Geographical reach: KPMG has a start-up presence in 17 European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Slovakia, Estonia and the Netherlands

Sector of interest: All sectors with a focus on Fintech, Healthtech, Retailtech and Internet of Things (IoT).

Works with start-ups through:

A centre for start-up activities, KPMG Tech Growth
The global Centre of Excellence for Innovative Startups, which has a presence in 38 countries
Alliances with early-stage and scale-up groups (such as Enterprise Nation and Entrepreneurial Spark)
Events, competitions, mentorships and workshops
Publications on start-up-corporate collaboration

Why does KPMG work with start-ups?

KPMG works with start-ups to create lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with the stars of the future. This enables KPMG to expand into new markets and bring new innovations and solutions to its large corporate clients.

How does KPMG work with start-ups?

With strong networks of corporate partners and start-ups, KPMG is ideally placed to connect early-stage businesses with clients looking for new products and services.

Through KPMG Tech Growth, KPMG hosts a variety of initiatives and events, including pitching sessions to a wide range of corporates and the annual Best British Mobile Startup Competition.

On a day-to-day basis, KPMG works alongside start-ups to complement the services that both parties offer to clients. An example of this is KPMG’s strategic alliance with the software provider Xero, which offers start-ups affordable accountancy services. An advisory partnership, with the matchmaking platform Matchi, also helps to connect KPMG’s largest clients with financial technology start-ups.

What has KPMG done to facilitate collaboration with start-ups?

KPMG Tech Growth has 17 full-time employees working with start-ups and scale-ups out of co-working spaces in Shoreditch and Camden. It is the only ‘big four’ consultancy firm with a dedicated team separate from the main office.

The firm has a number of alliances with groups such as Enterprise Nation and Entrepreneurial Spark, and also sponsors the Enactus World Cup. Staff across the firm are encouraged to get involved with mentoring via the partnerships KPMG has in place.

As part of KPMG’s global Centre of Excellence – which has a presence in 38 countries – members of the firm regularly meet to discuss how to support start-ups across borders and expand internationally.

Events and competitions also attract promising start-ups to KPMG – as do workshops with accelerators such as Techstars, Wayra, Entrepreneur First and Microsoft Accelerator.

A number of success stories have resulted from the way KPMG uses its well-connected position to offer its clients solutions created by start-ups.

Success story: Matchi

Matchi is a matchmaking platform that connects companies with innovative financial technology solutions from around the globe. KPMG became Matchi’s advisory partner in order to help KPMG clients find financial technologies to address specific challenges.

Matchi provides a unique service that KPMG can provide to its clients. The partnership between KPMG and Matchi has also opened up KPMG’s extensive network of financial services professionals to smaller financial technology companies, and allowed a large number of start-ups to connect with large companies that they wouldn’t have otherwise had access to.

“KPMG is embracing the latest trends to be able to lead the start-up-collaboration process for their customers.”

Dolf Wittkamper, Corporate Startup Stars judge

What can other corporates learn from KPMG about working with start-ups?

A dedicated resource for connecting with start-ups, with its own team, is an effective way of drawing fresh talent into a business.
A direct connection to the global start-up ecosystem provides the opportunity to create strong connections with start-ups across borders.
An opportunity for experienced staff to use their skills and knowledge to mentor early-stage businesses creates strong results
Start-ups can bring a corporation’s clients new products and services in a way that benefits all parties.

What is KPMG looking for from the start-ups it works with?

KPMG is looking to build relationships with technology start-ups and scale-ups across all sectors and stages of development. Its key aim is to help these companies grow, whether this is through helping with the business and financial side of their work, or by bringing start-ups together with corporates that are trying to innovate within their industries.

How can start-ups get involved with KPMG?

There are many ways for start-ups to get involved with KPMG: attend its events, participate in drop-in sessions or email the team. Start-ups can also follow KPMG on twitter for the latest news, competitions and blogs. For more information, please see KPMG’s start-up guide.