Entries are now open for the 22nd annual Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 awards and Deloitte is looking for entries from companies all over Wales that use a proprietary technology in their business.
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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 and some of the most exciting high-tech companies in the country. In 2018, Deloitte’s 50 fastest growing technology 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.
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Winning welsh companies
Past winners from Wales have been both large and small companies, and include some of the most dynamic players in differing areas of technology, from biotech to fintech, digital media technology to communications, and hardware to software.
In 2018, two Welsh companies were ranked in the awards: Laser Wire Solutions, a manufacturer of laser wire strippers based in Pontypridd, in 15th place; Vizolution, a customer engagement solutions company from Swansea, in 40h place.
Rising stars
The awards now include a Rising Star award to recognise the innovation and achievements of UK tech businesses that are leading the way but have not been in operation for four years and therefore not yet able to enter the main awards. Last year four start-ups were named rising stars.
Dave Tansley, lead technology partner for Deloitte in Wales, commented: “The start-up scene in Wales is thriving, sparking new opportunities for entrepreneurs, employees and businesses. The UK Fast 50 awards are all about growth driven by leading intellectual property and give us the opportunity celebrate the innovation and entrepreneurship that start-ups are well known for.
“It’s a privilege for us to showcase the talent of the teams and the brains behind the brands with these awards. I’m looking forward to seeing entries from businesses in Wales and celebrating their success and the contributions they make to the economy.”
Double award winners
In 2017 and 2018, Deliveroo ranked in first place in 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 top the list twice.
It’s not alone in having won an award in consecutive years. Since the awards began in 1998, four Welsh companies have been named in the UK Fast 50 awards two years in a row: Gyrus Group won in the first three years of the awards, Comtec Europe in 2002 and 2003, Dezrez Services in 2007-2008, and more recently SIPHON Networks in 2016 and 2017. Looking at the past 21 years of the awards, technology businesses from Wales have been named the fastest growing technology companies in the UK 20 times since the awards began.
Deloitte is encouraging digital and tech businesses as well as technology start-ups to enter the awards.
Nominations close at midnight on Friday 6 September and winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 7 November in London.
For full details and the entry form please visit: www.fast50.co.uk.
