OGI Bio has beaten off competition from nine local tech startups to be crowned Scotland Tech Innovator as part of KPMG’s search for the UK’s most exciting tech businesses.

The Edinburgh-based microbiology and biotech firm was one of nearly 400 businesses that applied to the UK competition. They were then selected and shortlisted as one of the nine most exciting tech offerings in Scotland and invited to pitch in the regional heat.  Alex McVey, CEO and co-founder, impressed a panel of judges at the pitching competition held earlier this month.

Commenting on the regional heat, 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.  There is a demand for this product from various sectors, and countries and we at KPMG are excited to watch and support OGI Bio to grow.”

Runner up in the Scotland heat was Microplate Dx, a Glasgow startup specialising in rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing diagnostic, enabling clients to confidently select the best choice of antibiotic to treat a patient’s infection.

Alex said: “I’m absolutely delighted that OGI Bio won the Scotland heat of Tech Innovator in the UK. 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.”

OGI Bio is a Scottish biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative products for the growth and analysis of bacteria, yeast and algae. The company helps the biotechnology industry to more effectively develop the next generation of green solutions for a wide range of applications including health and beauty, food manufacturing, feedstock and green alternatives to petrochemicals. Founded in 2020 out of The University of Edinburgh, OGI Bio launched its first products in the market in the last year as it aims to democratise access to R&D tools with its modular solutions for microbial culturing.

The nation-wide competition, which is celebrating its 11th year, has uncovered British tech innovators including What3Words, Inovus Medical and 2022 winner HiiROC who 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 in July. They will pitch against the winners from seven other regions for the title of Tech Innovator in the UK 2024. The overall winner will then go on to represent the UK at a global final, which takes place alongside Web Summit in November where they will compete against exciting businesses from 23 other countries representing major regions of the world in front of a panel of global judges for the crown the 2024 KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator.

To join the live UK final on 23 July you can register via this link https://events.kpmg.uk/webApp/kpmgSingleEventRegistration?eventId=85579308

The eight 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