KPMG case study

Future Technology Program: Solving enterprise challenges with startup solutions

Australia's productivity challenge isn't lack of innovation – it's the gap between breakthrough technologies and enterprise adoption.

Most large organisations know they need to move faster but struggle with internal constraints, while startups with powerful solutions can't break through complex procurement and integration barriers.

KPMG and Stone & Chalk built a bridge: a structured program that connects enterprise problems with startup solutions and delivers measurable commercial outcomes

The challenge

KPMG wanted to strengthen its position as a leader in business transformation - not just by exploring new technologies internally, but by delivering smarter, faster solutions to clients through startup collaboration.

But corporates face a fundamental innovation paradox: they have established customers, profits, and ways of working that make experimentation risky, while startups have the freedom to innovate and pivot without those constraints.

Meanwhile, while 84% of ASX200 companies say emerging tech is critical, most still struggle to move beyond pilots. Startups developing powerful solutions for supply chain efficiency, workforce performance, and space technology couldn't access the enterprise customers who needed them most.

KPMG needed to solve both sides: help clients adopt game-changing technologies while positioning themselves as the partner who makes transformation real.

The solution

The Future Technology Program became a multi-year commercialisation accelerator designed to connect client challenges with startup solutions systematically.

Each cohort followed a proven pathway:

  • Startup curation from 300+ applications across strategic themes (Supply Chain, Space, Workforce Tech, Intelligent Performance)
  • 3-month acceleration with KPMG mentorship and business development support
  • 12-month Stone & Chalk residencies for scaling and investor readiness
  • Direct client access to KPMG's enterprise customers with sophisticated problems
  • Global expansion pathways into Asia, Europe, and North America

Crucially, KPMG employees participated as mentors, building internal innovation capability while helping startups refine their enterprise offerings. This created value on both sides: startups gained access to complex enterprise problems, while KPMG teams developed new approaches to client challenges.

The impact

Four cohorts delivered concrete results:

  • 20 startups accelerated from 300+ applicants
  • $15M+ capital raised by participating companies
  • $1.36M in operational savings + 234 tonnes CO₂ avoided through one AI logistics pilot alone
  • New client relationships in parts of KPMG's business where they hadn't engaged before
  • Global market access for Australian innovators

Standout alumni include Adiona (AI logistics), Arlula (earth observation), Bluesheets - now fileAI (financial automation), and Heatseeker (climate intelligence) - all now scaling solutions that started as enterprise challenges.

The program has set a new standard for how Australian corporates come together with innovative startups to solve meaningful business problems.

It proves that systematic corporate-startup collaboration creates value at multiple levels: startups gain enterprise customers, corporates access breakthrough solutions, and clients get innovative approaches to their most complex challenges.

It's a replicable model that demonstrates how Australia's innovation ecosystem and corporate sector can work together to drive productivity and competitive advantage at scale.