eShopWorld tops the 2015 Deloitte Fast 50 ranking

For more information on the Deloitte Fast 50 awards visit our event page.

eShopWorld has secured the top spot in Ireland’s best known technology growth index – the Deloitte Fast 50 ranking, which measures Ireland’s fastest growing indigenous companies in the tech sector. The company, a new entrant to the ranking this year, achieved a strong growth rate of 9909% over the last four years. The company is a leader in global eCommerce and logistics management, with a world class modular solution that gives online retailers control over the end-to-end customer journey – from global checkout to returns.

The awards, which are in their sixteenth year in Ireland, demonstrate the strength of the indigenous technology sector in Ireland. Cumulatively, the 2015 Fast 50 winners generated approximately €480 million in total annual revenues in 2014. The average revenue of companies featuring on the ranking was €9.5 million, while the average growth rate of the companies over the last four years was 540%.

This year’s ranking saw 26 new entrants, nine of which featured in the top ten. These included Vearsa in second place, which connects publishers and readers around the world through smart technology, with a growth rate of 3007%, in addition to CWSI, which took third spot with a growth rate of 1300%. The company is a dedicated mobile IT integrator, delivering mobile data solutions via traditional mobile operating systems.

All four provinces are featured on this year’s ranking. 30 of the winners are Leinster-based, 11 are based in Ulster, followed by Munster with seven companies, and Connaught with two companies. Instil Software, which builds bespoke mobile, desktop and enterprise systems and provides training to clients across the globe, was the highest ranking NI company at number 14.

Announcing the winners of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 programme, Joan O’Connor, Partner, Deloitte said: “Huge congratulations to the winning companies. The awards showcase the agility, innovation and strength of the industry. The winners epitomise these characteristics. What’s really encouraging is the ambition that is apparent amongst them. On average 58% of turnover amongst the winners is generated by exports. Furthermore, on average, over a quarter of turnover is spent on R&D. The winning companies are making their mark internationally and investing in their companies’ future.”

 

2015 MNC Patron Awards

In recognition of the importance of collaboration between the multinational and indigenous technology sectors in Ireland, this year’s Fast 50 programme sees the introduction of five new Deloitte 2015 MNC Patron Awards, in association with leading technology multinationals. These awards recognise excellence in the areas that truly demonstrate the value and strength of the indigenous technology sector. The winners are:

• Asavie - The Innovative New Technology award, in association with Google
• Fenergo - The Export award, in association with Intel
• Path XL Limited - The Research & Development award, in association with Groupon
• CarTrawler - The Impact award, in association with Paypal
• Linda Kiely, VoxPro - The Leading Female award, in association with Vodafone
   

Commenting on these awards Ms O’Connor said: “This year, we not only celebrate the importance of and contribution that these Irish indigenous companies make, but we also acknowledge the evolving and symbiotic relationship between multinationals and indigenous companies. Many thanks to our Deloitte 2015 MNC patrons for their support of and involvement in this year’s Fast 50 programme.”

Rising Star awards

Two companies have also been awarded Rising Star awards. This category recognises younger companies with the fastest growth in turnover over the past three years. Ortus Technology, which provides comprehensive cloud computing solutions, data recovery and IT infrastructure services amongst others was the Republic of Ireland’s winner in this category. Flint Studios, the web, software development, digital and creative communications agency, was Northern Ireland’s representative.

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards took place in Dublin on 13 November 2015 and were hosted by science and technology journalist, and founder of Whipsmart Media, Jonathan McCrea. Keynote speaker on the night was Paul Sallomi, Deloitte U.S. and Global Technology Sector Leader for Technology, Media and Telecoms.

Details of the final Technology Fast 50 ranking list are available to download at www.fast50.ie.

About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Programme

To enter the Fast 50 Awards, companies must meet the criteria listed below. Entries must be submitted electronically with the necessary supporting documents (audited financial statements).

Fast 50 Awards Category:
1. The company must have been in business for a minimum of four years with a turnover of at least €50,000 in 2011.
2. The company must be considered a technology company, which is defined as:

• developing or owning proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues
• producing technology
• manufacturing technology-related products
• be technology intensive, or use unique technology to solve problems
• devoting a high percentage of effort to technology R&D
• NB: using another company's technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not qualify.

3. Entrants can be public or private companies but the parent company must be headquartered in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Subsidiaries or divisions do not qualify.

4. All submissions must be accompanied by signed accounts (pdf version) for the last financial year being measured in the competition. Unless a statutory exemption is being taken, these accounts must be unabbreviated and audited.

Awards categories

In 2015, five new awards categories have been added to the programme. These categories include:

Innovative New Technology award in association with Google

This award is for the company that has created or introduced a new or innovative product or service to International markets that has helped grow their business over the last four years.

Export award in association with Intel

This award will be given to the company showing the highest level of exports in their most recent year of trading through their application submission. 

R&D award in association with Groupon

This award is for the company that can demonstrate the highest level of investment in research and development within their most recent year of trading.

Impact award in association with Paypal

This award is for the company that has made the most significant impact within the current year. Companies will be given an opportunity to demonstrate how they have made an impact through their application.

Leading female award in association with Vodafone

This award will be given to a leading female in technology who has contributed to business growth within their organisation.

Rising Star category
Companies who wish to enter the programme, which have not been in business for the minimum four years may qualify for the Rising Star category on satisfaction of the following criteria:

Entrants must have been operating for a minimum of three years and less than four years, with turnover of at least €30,000 for 2012.

Entrants can be public or private companies but the parent company must be headquartered in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Subsidiaries or divisions do not qualify.

Each entrant must be a technology company defined as producing technology; manufacturing technology-related products; being technologically intensive or using technology in problem-solving; or devoting a high percentage of effort to the research and development of technology.

For Further Information Please Contact

Aoibheann O’Sullivan
Murray Consultants
01 4980346
aoibheann.osullivan@murrayconsult.ie

Claire Quinn
Deloitte
01 4172356
cquinn@deloitte.ie

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