Deloitte has announced that nominations for this year’s ’50 fastest growing tech companies’ list are now open and is encouraging the South West’s tech community to nominate the region’s most thriving tech startups.
“This programme is a perfect crystal ball that offers a glimpse into what the future tech scene will look like in the UK”
The ‘Fast50’ list, which has been running for 20 years, has seen 65 South West startups named in previous years – including Bristol-based Mubaloo who made it to the number 3 spot in 2014 with an impressive growth rate of 4404% along with Test and Verification Solutions, another Bristol-based tech firm that made it to the list in 2014 with a growth rate of 963%.
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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 an astounding 13,391%.
Laurence Hedditch (pictured left), Deloitte’s technology partner for the South West, comments: “The Bristol and Bath technology startup 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.”
Recognising growth
By focusing on growth driven by leading intellectual property, the awards are a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship, showcasing the UK’s dynamic technology ecosystem and some of the most exciting high-tech companies out there.
“I would encourage technology startups from Bristol, Bath and all over the South West to apply”
It’s an extremely impressive list for startups to be a part of especially when, 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.
Laurence adds: “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 Smart Traffic.
“I would encourage technology startups from Bristol, Bath and all over the South West to apply for what is an excellent opportunity for businesses to showcase their achievements.”
But if you’re only just looking to begin your next venture and want to know which area may be the best to start in, it may be handy to note that a significant 22% of the 2016 award winners classified themselves as FinTech startups.
To find out more about the Deloitte ‘Fast50’ and get your nominations in, check out the Deloitte Fast50 website or follow them on Twitter here: @TechFast50.
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