Tell us more about what KPMG does.
KPMG is a professional services company, established in Saudi Arabia since 1992 and providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services to a wide range of clients in the public and private sector. The greatest strength of the firm is the human capital, a mix local on-the-ground experience and global subject-matter experts – supported by a network of other member firms in more than 140 countries around the world. Currently, the Saudi firm employs well-over 1500 employees across three offices, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar, growing rapidly across all three functions.
How do you help entrepreneurs and business leaders?
Our firm has evolved from the traditional, predominant focus on audit, accounting and tax services into a wide spectrum of advisory services that touch upon nearly every part of the business operations. We advise business leaders on growth strategies, organizational restructuring, financial and accounting challenges and many other areas that demand for complex problem-solving solutions in the boardroom.
What are the current business trends you’re seeing in the MENA region and how can entrepreneurs take advantage of these?
The region is blessed with a demographic advantage of having relatively a young population, creating a vibrant society put also puts pressure on the labour market. What we have seen more recently, is that the digital economy started to take off. This is partly driven by the demand for digital services like ride-hailing, food delivery and the sharing economy, but also by the entrepreneurial environment. The government has been quite supportive of the ecosystem, recognizing the importance of SMEs for employment and economic diversification.
You recently hosted a KPMG Tech Innovator Competition, can you tell us more about that. (please can you include future similar competitions & how our readers could enter).
The KPMG Tech Innovator Competition targeted top tech innovators who are poised and prepared to become tech titans, as part of a global competition. We invited startups and entrepreneurs to apply after which they were scaled according to a template, and we invited the shortlisted top 5 to pitch in front of our judges. The winner represents our firm and the country at the global finals. Saudi Arabia participated this year for the first time, and given the overwhelming response and feedback, we will surely repeat this. The Kingdom has evolved into a vibrant environment for entrepreneurs and business startups. Following the success of local and regional unicorns, and conducive government policies, and increasing number of graduates or young professionals choose to become entrepreneurs. As a firm, we are keen to support this, by all means that we can – for example through workshops, mentorship programs and by connecting them with investors or potential partners.
Natufia, a Saudi Arabia-based agri-technology provider that enables you to grow fresh plants and herbs all year round, has emerged winner of the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia competition for 2021.
Natufia now joins the winning tech innovators from 20 countries worldwide to qualify for the inaugural KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator competition at Web Summit 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal, in November.
How can our readers find out more about you?
Through our website: https://home.kpmg/sa/en/home.html
