Call for entries for the 2017 Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 awards

• Awards recognise and rank the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK
• Last year’s winner Brainlabs had an average four-year revenue growth rate of 8,255%;
• The average four year growth rate recorded for the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 companies was 1,240% in the year 2015/16;
• Last year’s Fast 50 companies generated £884m of combined revenue in 2015/2016 and employed more than 7,100 people.

Deloitte, the business advisory firm, has today announced that entries have now opened for the 2017 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 Oracle NetSuite and Silicon Valley Bank.

Since 1998 the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards have been recognising and ranking the fastest-growing technology companies in the UK. 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.

David Cobb, lead partner for the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 programme, comments: “The UK technology start-up scene is truly fascinating. For the last two decades the UK Technology Fast 50 Awards have celebrated hundreds of 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.

“The class of 2017 will follow in the footsteps of last year’s winners, Brainlabs, and other illustrious alumni including the likes of WorldRemit, notonthehighstreet.com, Skyscanner and Just Eat. I would encourage technology start-ups to apply for what is an excellent opportunity for businesses to showcase their achievements.”

Last year’s winner: Brainlabs
With a staggering four-year revenue growth rate of 8,255%, London-based Brainlabs, the performance marketing agency, was named the overall winner of the 2016 UK Technology Fast 50 competition. Since being founded in 2012, Brainlabs has blended automation, data analytics and innovative strategy to supercharge their clients’ online advertising offering.

Daniel Gilbert, CEO and founder of Brainlabs, commented on last year’s award win: “Coming top of last year’s Fast 50 awards was a fantastic achievement for our hard-working team. The significance hasn’t been lost on us; since then we have carried this momentum on to become bigger and, more importantly, better than ever before.”

For full details and the entry form please visit: www.fast50.co.uk.

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Notes to editors

About the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50
The Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 is one of the UK’s foremost technology award programmes. Now in its twentieth year, it is a ranking of the country’s 50 fastest-growing technology companies, based on revenue growth over the last four years. The UK Fast 50 awards are all about growth driven by leading intellectual property and are a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. The UK Technology Fast 50 is part of an international programme run by Deloitte and qualifying entrants of the UK Fast 50 will be put forward to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) programme. Previous winners have come from across the UK, are both large and small, and included some of the most dynamic players in all areas of technology, from internet specialists to biotech, digital media technology to life sciences, computers to semiconductors and software to telecommunications.

For more information visit www.fast50.co.uk

Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 eligibility criteria

1. The company must have been in business for a minimum of four years;
2. The company must be considered a technology company which, for the purposes of the awards, is defined as one that:
   1. owns proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues;
   2. manufactures a technology related product;
   3. devotes a significant proportion of operating revenues to research and development of technology;
   4. is technology intensive, or uses its own unique technology to solve problems.
      
      NB: Using third party technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not meet this definition. Consulting companies, professional services firms, resellers and others who don't rely on proprietary technologies to generate their revenue are not eligible.
3. The parent company must be UK-owned and have its headquarters in the UK;
   
   NB: Companies headquartered in Northern Ireland can take part in the UK OR Irish programme, but need to choose one or the other and cannot enter both.
4. Operating revenues must be at least £42,000 (€50,000) for the first financial year of the four year period and £817,000 (€1,000,000) for the most recent financial year;
   
   NB: The accounts for the most recent financial year must have an accounting period ending between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2017.
5. All submissions must be accompanied by signed accounts for the first and last financial year being measured in the competition. Unless a statutory exemption is being taken, these accounts must be unabbreviated and audited.

If you have any further questions regarding whether your company qualifies, please contact fast50@deloitte.co.uk

About Oracle NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite’s cloud business software suite is the top choice of technology companies who understand that the key to unlocking and managing growth is a back office system that can address today’s challenges while providing the critical foundation for future expansion.

Today over 40,000 companies trust NetSuite to run their mission critical business processes from accounting, procurement and HR through to marketing and sales. NetSuite’s track record as the business system of choice for high-growth tech companies is unmatched. NetSuite isn’t just for start-ups, companies of all sizes benefit from its comprehensive, global financial and accounting core that makes international expansion straightforward; improved visibility across the business; and increased efficiency from eliminating manual processes and disparate systems.

To find out more, please visit www.netsuite.co.uk

About Silicon Valley Bank
For more than 30 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative businesses, enterprises and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides a range of targeted financial services and expertise through its office in the UK. With commercial and international banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators. The UK's leading technology and life science businesses, in all stages of development, look to SVB’s niche expertise, experience and unparalleled network, as they grow at home and tackle new markets abroad. Learn more at svb.com/uk.

About Deloitte
In this press release references to “Deloitte” are references to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”) a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms.

Deloitte LLP is a subsidiary of Deloitte NWE LLP, which is a member firm of DTTL, and is among the UK's leading professional services firms.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

For more information, please visit www.deloitte.co.uk.

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.