WHO WILL BE NEXT TO INVEST IN THE INTERNET OF THINGS? KPMG STARTUP TRENDS INDEX CAN HELP PROVIDE ANSWERS

Yet another example of the many ways Owlin's algorithms and expertise can be channelled into specific products

08 DECEMBER 2015, AMSTERDAM
Summary
New York, December 8 – Venture capitalists are placing big bets on digital payments and the Internet of Things, but are still scoping out plays for ‘gamification’ and biometrics. Consumer Goods and Media & Entertainment sectors are ripe for startups and investment activity, dominating media attention in these areas, according to the KPMG Startup Trends Index.

The index is a real-time analysis of news sources involving startups, incubators, venture capitalists and related technologies. It was launched today as a joint effort of KPMG LLP in the U.S., KPMG in the Netherlands, and Owlin, a real-time news alert service.

To access the KPMG Startup Trends Index, visit http://startuptrendsindex.kpmg.com.

The index filters, analyzes and provides insights culled from more than 1.8 million news and social media sources. It reveals the new technology and business models startups are bringing to market, as well as key focus areas of major investors, what disruptive technologies are drawing their interest, and the volume of buzz by industry sector.

“We’re providing a real-time snapshot of what is trending with investments in startups,” says Colleen Drummond, managing director of KPMG’s Innovation Lab. “By pairing innovative technology with our deep expertise in trends analysis and the investment landscape, we can help clients identify new competitors and changing customer expectations to solve emerging business problems and gain an edge in the marketplace.”

“The KPMG Startup Trends Index is just one example of how the firm identifies and monitors market disruption to help clients with their strategies and the development of innovative service offerings in today’s dynamic environment,” says Mike Nolan, vice chair, Innovation & Enterprise Solutions at KPMG. He added, “Teaming with forward-thinking organizations like Owlin enables KPMG to enhance and accelerate innovation.”

Combining Owlin’s proprietary algorithms with KPMG’s market insights, the index continuously updates and tracks patterns from public news sources (press releases, annual reports, magazines, forums, newspapers, news wires, etc.) and social media for a period of 200 days. The Owlin algorithm weighs the content based on timeliness and relevance.

“The analysis is always provided in real-time because insights today can be old news tomorrow,” says Sjoerd Leemhuis, Owlin co-founder. “The index is another example of the many ways our algorithms and expertise can be channelled into specific products.”

The KPMG Startup Trends Index builds on the success of the KPMG Technology Trends Index, http://technologytrendsindex.kpmg.com, also jointly developed by Owlin and KPMG, and includes advanced features:

- Scrolling ticker with headlines of top trending news stories

- “Deals bar” that indicates “hot” industry sectors for startup news

- Trends as a result of venture capital activity, color coded to reflect “buzz” level

- List of companies that are actively investing and their areas of interest

“Owlin is one of several startups we’re working with to detect and decode signals in the market that may elevate over time into the next big thing,” says Sal Melilli, national audit industry leader of KPMG’s Private Markets group. “Tracking what leading and emerging startups have in the works and distilling trends provides market intelligence that isn’t currently available.”

Quotes
"We’re providing a real-time snapshot of what is trending with investments in startups" Colleen Drummond - managing director of KPMG’s Innovation Lab
"The KPMG Startup Trends Index is just one example of how the firm identifies and monitors market disruption to help clients with their strategies and the development of innovative service offerings in today’s dynamic environment" Mike Nolan - vice chair Innovation & Enterprise Solutions at KPMG
"The index is another example of the many ways our algorithms and expertise can be channelled into specific products" Sjoerd Leemhuis - co-founder Owlin
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About Owlin

About the Company:

Amsterdam-based Owlin has been developing news search and analysis tools since its inception in 2012. Owlin's proprietary search and analysis software helps you gain control over the wealth of information on the internet. Owlin scans more than 2 million news sources around the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 'turns the news into actionable intelligence'.

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