Midlands-based AI firm crowned UK Tech Innovator 2025

Inicio AI, a Midlands-based artificial intelligence business, has been crowned KPMG’s UK Tech Innovator for 2025.

Hundreds of businesses from across the UK applied to be part of the competition and dozens were shortlisted among the most exciting tech scaleups to take part in a series of eight regional heats.

The winners of each regional heat came together to compete in a UK grand final and Leicester-based Inicio AI wowed the judges to come out on top.

The firm uses AI to improve how organisations assess customer affordability, particularly for those in financial difficulty.

The competition, which KPMG runs to spotlight and celebrate the world’s most innovative technology, provides a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and collectively champion the future of tech.

Rachel Curtis, CEO of Inicio AI, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to be crowned KPMG UK Tech Innovator 2025. This prestigious recognition is a testament to our team's hard work and validates the powerful impact of our product.  It has also generated immediate interest, with companies actively reaching out to us – a clear sign of the market's need for our innovation.”

The competition, which has been running since 2013, has celebrated some of the UK’s best pure technology and tech-enabled businesses including What3Words, VividQ and HiiROC who have all been crowned previous winners. 2022 winner HiiROC took it a step further by winning the global final at Web Summit.

Inicio AI will now advance to the global final later in the year, where an international panel of judges will select the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator.

Andy Bostock, Birmingham office senior partner at KPMG UK, said: “I was delighted to hear that Rachel and all involved with Inicio were named UK Tech Innovator 2025.

“We are well aware of the great work being undertaken by Rachel and her team and this recognition is just reward for being a superb example of why the Midlands is the epicentre for one of the most vibrant and fast-growing tech sectors in the entire country.

“Inicio’s ability to scale and develop innovative AI solutions, including its flagship product which helps guide consumers through online affordability assessments, is testament to the depth of tech excellence that exists within the business - which is now having a hugely positive impact on people’s lives.

“Congratulations to the team at Inicio and we now have our fingers crossed as they go to represent the Midlands and the UK at the UK Tech Innovator global finals later this year.”

The People’s Choice award, which saw members of the public vote via social media for their favourite company, saw Manchester-based Collctiv recognised for its work to create an app that helps group organisers collect money for activities and large gifts simply by enabling them to send just one link and receive payments in less than five seconds.

Nicole Lowe, head of Emerging Giants at KPMG UK, said: “Inicio AI is an amazing example of what the UK has to offer when it comes to tech.

“They joined a strong line-up of eight scale-ups who showcased the stunning range of companies we have across the country, all of which are doing great to work to address important issues for everyone across the globe.

“All are shining examples of the great tech talent we have in the UK and the innovation being shown every single day.

“We now wish Inicio AI the very best of luck as they head to the global final of this competition to represent the UK and look forward to watching their continued growth in the future.

“Big congratulations also to Collctiv for being handpicked by the public in our People’s Choice Award.”

Pictured: From left -  Rachel Curtis (CEO of Inicio AI) with Nicole Lowe, Sarah Abrahams and Amy Burnett (KPMG)