KPMG to offer discounted services to Silicon Roundabout startups

Services giant hopes that it can build relationships with the big tech companies of the future

Professional services firm KPMG is in talks with representatives of London's Silicon Roundabout technology hub about ways in which it can help tech startups in the area grow into successful businesses.

Tudor Aw, KPMG's information communications partner, told Computing that KPMG is trying to get involved with the scheme, and that it has "started to talk to government representatives about how it can contribute".

Last November, Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to create a technology hub in East London. Centred on the Old Street and Shoreditch areas of the capital, the scheme was soon dubbed Silicon Roundabout.

Aw said that KPMG is looking to help entrepreneurs and startups by offering services and advice rather than direct funding.

"We aren't venture capitalists," said Aw.

"We would work with companies in the area to provide clinics for professional services advice, and advise about share option schemes, set up remuneration packages, and tax planning around delivering a cloud service in Europe, for example," he added.

"We are also looking to build relationships with companies that grow to become something quite significant."

Aw said KPMG would look to either offer free or discounted services.

The company may also invite Silicon Roundabout businesses to add their own questions to an annual survey it conducts about consumer behaviour in the digital space.

Aw also said that some of KPMG's big technology clients are very interested in learning from companies that have set up in the area.

"They are more concerned about what I have got to tell them about the startups I work with, than what is happening with their main competitors," he said.

According to Aw, KPMG's approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been key to building relationships with the new breed of technology firms springing up in the area.

"When we go and talk to the representatives about what it is they want, it is obvious they are looking for people with the same culture and values," said Aw.

"They aren't necessarily after the best tax expert, or loads of money to subsidise things. What they like about us is that our CSR is very strong," he added.

The Silicon Roundabout tech community has also been drawn by KPMG's "Emerging Leaders Programme", Aw said.

The scheme aims to give employees aged under 30 the skills they need to tackle commercial problems.

"This is a service that a lot of the startups and entrepreneurs really value. They want to talk to these emerging leaders, and the emerging leaders fit in with their typical age demographic," said Aw.

KPMG said it will hold a two-day workshop in the near future where Silicon Roundabout representatives can learn more about what it has to offer and get a chance to say what they would like from the company.