Amy Burnett

The 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.

Mr McVey 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 develops innovative products for the growth and analysis of bacteria, yeast and algae. 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.