KPMG names NanoPalm as Saudi Arabia 2025 Global Tech Innovator winner
A standout startup has been named the 2025 winner of KPMG’s prestigious Global Tech Innovator competition, following a high-energy final pitch event held at the firm’s Riyadh headquarters on the 3rd of September.
The annual competition, now in its fifth year globally and in Saudi Arabia, highlights the most ambitious and forward-thinking technology ventures across the Kingdom. After a competitive round of pitches from the top finalists, NanoPalm was selected as this year’s national winner.
NanoPalm is a biotech startup pioneering in vivo gene therapy with an advanced lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform. Its proprietary manufacturing process produces stable, programmable LNPs that self-target organs and cells, overcoming key limitations of current delivery technologies. Chosen for its innovative approach and use of AI technology, its potential impact on healthcare and ability to scale globally. The judging panel praised the startup’s solution for addressing real-world challenges with tech-driven innovation – built in Saudi Arabia.
Aljohara Ababtain, Senior Deep NanoTech Researcher at NanoPalm delivered the winning pitch and commented: “This win is a signal that Saudi Arabia is not just entering biotech, we are defining it. At NanoPalm, we’re building the future of gene therapy: programmable, accessible, and born from Vision 2030’s biotech ambition. Our AI platform powers fast and safe drug delivery systems to transform the future of medicine.From deep tech to real cures, this is how we shape what’s next.”
The panel of judges brought together expertise from venture capital, tech entrepreneurship, and innovation strategy, including Amal Dokhan, Managing Partner of the 500 Global, Omar Al-Shabaan, CEO of The Garage, Adela Alonso, Director of Open Innovation at AstroLabs, and Karim Samakie, FinTech and Innovation Expert at Fintech Saudi, in addition to KPMG’s own Dr. Samer M. Abdallah, Head of ICT Sector – Middle East, and Maz Hussain, Partner, Digital and Innovation. Finalists were evaluated across six areas, including disruption and innovation, market potential, customer adoption, market traction and marketing, long-term potential, and pitch quality.
A record number of startups applied to this year’s competition –with only a select group invited to the final round. The nine finalists — AILA, Digital Petroleum, Lisan, Mirai Solar, NanoPalm, Plastus, Saher Flow Solutions, SARsatX, and Sparklehaze — showcased not only the breadth of innovation across industries but also the high caliber of ideas, execution, and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated throughout the competition.
“With this record number of applications, we were also faced with an incredibly competitive field of testament. This is a good sign, and testament to the growing startup and entrepreneurial culture in Saudi Arabia. We are proud of all finalists for their pitches and their drive to make an impact and address real-world challenges. Best of luck to the NanoPalm team in representing the Kingdom at the global finals.” said Dr. Samer Abdallah.
NanoPalm will now go on to compete against other country winners at the KPMG Global Tech Innovator Finals, set to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, this November.
