KPMG announced Netzero as the winner of the third annual KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator competition on 6 September 2023, recognizing the most impactful and promising start-up in Saudi Arabia. Netzero, provides solutions for companies in Saudi Arabia to offset their carbon emissions by streamlining nature-based solution deployment and afforestation in a cost effective and transparent manner. According to Mohammad Alkhalid, Founder of Netzero, this solution would ensure developing sustainable communities, promote good health and well-beings by improving air quality and finally would support climate action by promoting a greener ecosystem in harsh environments. Netzero gets to represent Saudi Arabia in the global competition, pitching against the winning finalists from 23 other countries and jurisdictions in the Global Tech Innovator finals that will take place in November during Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. The competition showcased entrepreneurs across industries who innovate to become the tech leaders of tomorrow. Netzero competed in a strong edition with six other shortlisted finalists: BuildNow, CarTrust, Lendo, MUNJZ, Rology, and Silky Systems, who were picked from over 70 eligible applicants. All finalists were given three minutes for a pitch, followed by a brief Q&A session, on basis of which the judges made their considerations. The panel of esteemed judges included Saud Alsabhan, Vice-Governor for Entrepreneurship at the General Authority for SMEs (Monsha'at), Athary Almubarak, Private Investor and Omar Al-Shabaan, Co-founder and CEO of The Space, in addition to KPMG's own Dr. Samer M. Abdallah, Head of ICT Sector, Robert Ptaszynski, Head of Digital & Innovation Advisory and Maz Hussain, Head of Digital Lighthouse. The winner was chosen based on six parameters: disruption and innovation, market potential, customer adoption, market traction and marketing, long-term potential, and pitch quality, and the judges particularly lauded Nabatik's innovative approach for help solve environmental challenges. "At KPMG, we are supporting tech entrepreneurs now for several years. The Global Tech Innovator competition is becoming a wonderful community for innovators to accelerate their growth and become future industry leaders," said Dr. Samer Abdallah, who chaired the judge panel.
