KPMG partners Chelsea Apps Factory

LONDON, UK: KPMG in the UK today announced a strategic partnership with the Chelsea Apps Factory (CAF), one of the UK's leading technology firms specialising in the design and production of Mobile Enterprise Apps (EMA's).

Chelsea Apps Factory is the first partnership which will form part of KPMG's Digital Innovation Network, a concept that aims to bring together KPMG's industry knowledge and experience with the creativity and design skills of early stage start- up companies.

The deal with CAF sees KPMG taking an initial equity stake in the business of 10 percent which may grow depending on the amount of business both parties will do together.

Alwin Magimay, head of digital and analytics at KPMG said: "We created the Digital Innovation Network to build an eco-system of ideas and innovation in a new way that benefits our clients. By working closely with early stage tech companies, such as the Chelsea Apps Factory, we can give our clients access to the hottest areas of mobile, cloud, cyber, social and analytics."

The partnership with CAF follows last year's opening of a permanent KPMG representation in Tech City and the launch of KPMG Capital, a global investment fund that will invest primarily in data and analytics businesses and is further proof of KPMG's commitment to sponsor and partner with early stage technology companies.

Simon Collins, UK chairman of KPMG, added: "Today's partnership brings together two organisations, at polar opposites of the business spectrum. Our Tech City presence shows there is huge appetite amongst some of our largest clients to build networks with smaller tech companies, at the forefront of technological innovation."

The demand for Mobile Enterprise Apps is driven by the increasing ‘consumerisation' of business technology - clients and employees who are demanding intuitive and easy to use applications, often on their own private smartphones and tablets.

Mike Anderson, CEO Chelsea Apps factory said: "I built this business from scratch three years ago because I am passionate about helping enterprises get mobilised. Today, we have one of the most creative and skilled teams both in the UK and have built over 100 mobile Apps."

"Our partnership with KPMG is the next step in our evolution. Being a part of the Digital Innovation Network means that we can combine our creative talent with KPMG's industry and technology integration expertise to offer our clients an unparalleled capability to mobilise business through a process of discovery and delivery," added Anderson.