Deloitte, the business advisory firm, has announced that entries are now open for the 2017 Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 awards and is looking for entries from tech businesses from across the South West.
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 Oracle NetSuite and Silicon Valley Bank.
Now in their twentieth year, the awards showcase the UK’s dynamic technology ecosystem and some of the most exciting high-tech companies out there.
In 2016, Deloitte’s 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK generated £884 million in total annual revenues, employed more than 7,100 people and recorded an average four-year growth rate of 1,240% in the 2015/16 financial year.
Since 1998, South West tech companies have won in these awards a total of 65 times, with eleven businesses achieving a place in the top 10 rankings. Over a third of previous South West winners - 25 out of the 65 to have made the top 50 list - have been software companies.
Winners come from all areas of technology, from internet specialists and digital media, to hardware, software and telecoms. But as technology is evolving, so are the sectors of the UK fastest growing tech businesses, with 22% of 2016 award winners classifying themselves as FinTech.
The ever-expanding list of tech subsectors such as AdTech, AgriTech, BioTech, CleanTech, EdTech, FoodTech, FashionTech, HealthTech, InsurTech, PropTech, RetailTech, and TravelTech means the awards are open to all tech businesses that deliver innovative products and services to their customers in all industries - so long as the business has its own tech IP.
Laurence Hedditch, Deloitte’s technology partner for the South West, comments: “The South West technology start-up scene is truly fascinating. For the last two decades the UK Technology Fast 50 Awards have celebrated the nation’s most aspirational companies from across the technology landscape. This programme is a perfect crystal ball that offers a glimpse into what the future tech scene will look like in the UK and is a great way to recognise and celebrate the dynamic tech businesses we have in the South West.
“The class of 2017 will hopefully follow in the footsteps of previous award winners from the South West such as Mubaloo, Skyscape and Alterian as well as other illustrious alumni including the likes of picoChip, The Book Depository and IntY. I would encourage technology start-ups from Bristol, Bath and all over the South West to apply for what is an excellent opportunity for businesses to showcase their achievements.”
Past South West winners
South West business have ranked in first, second and third places in previous Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 Awards and were named the fastest growing UK tech businesses.
The highest four-year growth rate for a South West winner was in 2015 when Corsham based Skyscape Cloud Services, now rebranded as UKCloud, ranked in second place with 13,391% growth.
The next highest four-year growth rate for a South West winning business was in 2000, when Bristol based Alterian topped the entire list and was named the overall winner with 12,538% growth.
Mubaloo, picoChip and Advanced Transport Systems, tech businesses from Bristol and Bath, each ranked third place in the awards in 2014, 2008 and 2002 respectively.
Nominations close on Friday 8 September and winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 16 November in London.
For full details and the entry form please visit: www.fast50.co.uk.