Back to News

CONSULTING

sprintworks Selected for KPMG Tech Innovator 2025 Programme Manchester

Sam Crowe

Sam Crowe

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

19 June 2025

Picture this: Manchester's sweltering in a summer heatwave, and somehow we thought the best way to cool down was by standing in front of a panel of industry experts for the most nerve-wracking 3 minutes of our lives.

KPMG Tech Innovator 2025 - North West Heats

We'd been handpicked from hundreds of applications across the North West – sitting alongside some seriously impressive startups and scale-ups. The mission? Convince a room full of sceptical judges that BigByte isn't just another consultancy.

The Challenge

Here's what we were up against:

  • 3 minutes to pitch everything that makes us different (spoiler: that's not long enough)
  • 3 minutes of rapid-fire questions designed to expose any weaknesses
  • A room full of experts who've heard every "we're revolutionising X" pitch imaginable
Sam Pitches at KPMG Tech Innovator 2025

What We Actually Do Differently

Here's what I hammered home in those precious few minutes:

  • We don't do 18-month contracts. While other consultancies lock clients into year-long commitments, we work in short sprints. Client not happy after 6 weeks? No problem, part ways with minimal pain.
  • We ship fast. Really fast. We're talking weeks, not quarters. Our clients see tangible results before their patience (and budgets) run out.
  • We actually care about outcomes. Controversial, I know. But we've seen too many projects that tick all the boxes on paper but deliver nothing useful in practice.

The Best Person Certainly Won

We didn't emerge victorious on this occasion, however we were delighted to see that Amy and the fantastic Collctiv were crowned the winners of the regional heat, and went on to win the UK Final in London!.

We're both part of the Manchester Growth Hub ASCEND programme (partnered with KPMG and Brewin Dolphin). Amy, Collctiv's founder, is an absolutely incredible and seasoned entrepreneur on a mission. Amy and Collctiv have gone from strength to strength, and this recognition couldn't be better placed.

Congratulations Amy and Collctiv!

Our Win

Here's what we actually got out of this (and why it was worth the nervous sweats):

  • Validation. When industry veterans nod along to your pitch instead of checking their phones, you know you're on to something.
  • We met some cracking companies. The North West startup scene is absolutely buzzing right now. The energy in that room was infectious.
  • Sharpened our story. Nothing quite forces you to clarify your value proposition like having 3 minutes to explain why you exist.
  • Made proper connections with some incredible people building super interesting things.

Massive thanks to KPMG for putting this together. Events like this are exactly what the region needs – more platforms for innovators to show what they're capable of 🚀

Innovation That Gets Recognised

Being selected for KPMG Tech Innovator wasn't just about our pitch – it was recognition of our unique approach to rapid software delivery. We're the team that turns complex challenges into simple, scalable solutions using cutting-edge AI tools and battle-tested development practices.

While other companies are still figuring out their AI strategy, we're already delivering AI-enhanced solutions that work in the real world. Our innovation isn't just theoretical – it's practical, proven, and ready to transform your next project.

This article originally referenced our previous name, "BigByte Digital" before we were known as "sprintworks". We've updated it here to reflect our new name.