Entries are now open for the 22nd annual Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 awards. The awards rank and recognise the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK, based on the last four years of revenue growth. Supporting Deloitte’s initiative for the UK’s fastest growing companies are the award sponsors DLA Piper, Oracle NetSuite and SVB.
Since 1998, the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards have showcased an increasingly innovative and diverse range of UK-based technology companies. Last year’s Fast 50 companies generated cumulative revenues of £1.2bn in 2017/18, an impressive average growth rate of 2,176% and employed more than 9,000 people in the UK.
Last year, Manchester based networking solutions company, In Touch Networks, was named the fastest growing North West business on Deloitte’s Fast 50 list for the third year in a row, coming in at 19th overall with a growth rate over the last four years of 1,524%.
Software provider, Fruugo, and media and entertainment service, The Lead Agency, also represented the region as new entrants to the Fast 50 list, and placed at 29th and 39threspectively.
Claire Jolly, head of TMT at Deloitte in the North West said: “The technology scene in the North West is flourishing, and the region has been consistently well represented in the Fast 50 awards thanks to its brilliant, innovative and established businesses.
“This year’s Fast 50 awards will give some of the most clever and creative businesses in the region the opportunity to highlight the fantastic work they’ve been doing. With the number of new tech companies set up in the region almost doubling last year, along with the advent of 5G, the North West’s presence in the list will only grow stronger in the years to come.”
Duncan Down, lead partner for the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 programme commented: “The UK’s start-up scene is thriving, sparking new opportunities for entrepreneurs, employees and businesses across the country. The Fast 50 awards give us the opportunity to acknowledge the growth that UK start-ups are experiencing, and the contributions they are making to the economy.
“It’s a pleasure and a privilege to showcase the talent of the teams and the brains behind brands entering the UK market with these awards, and we look forward to viewing this year’s entries and celebrating their success.”
Riding to victory – Deliveroo
For the second-year in a row, Deliveroo topped Deloitte’s UK Technology Fast 50 awards. The food courier service was the first company in the 21-year history of the Fast 50 to win twice, reporting an average three-year growth rate of 15,749% to the year 2017/18.
Dan Warne, Deliveroo Managing Director in UK and Ireland, commented:
“The Fast 50 awards are famed for showcasing the vibrancy and dynamism of the British technology scene, and we are delighted to have topped these rankings not once but twice. The UK’s tech sector continues to grow at pace with more and more start-ups seeking to build, grow and disrupt, and these awards act as a barometer to measure their success.
“Since receiving our awards, Deliveroo has continued on its mission to deliver for our riders, restaurants and customers and is proud to export our British built technology around the globe.”
