THERE are two weeks left to enter the 26th annual Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 awards, with Scotland-based technology companies encouraged to apply.
The awards rank and recognise the 50 fastest growing technology companies across 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, BGF and HSBC Innovation Banking.
Since 1998, the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards have showcased an increasingly innovative and diverse range of UK-based technology companies. Last year’s cohort of Fast 50 companies generated cumulative revenues of £992 million in 2021/22, an impressive average growth rate of 4,568%, and employed more than 16,000 people.
Three Scotland-based companies appeared in last year’s Fast 50 ranking: Edinburgh-based fintech company Amiqus Resolution Ltd placed 20th in the ranking, making it the fastest-growing technology company in Scotland in 2022. Tranent-based environmental technology company Sunamp Ltd claimed 40th place, while Glasgow-based software company The Original Fit Factory Ltd ranked 50th place.
Scottish companies have ranked a total of 139 times over the awards’ 26-year history, including two number one placements and a total of nine top five placements. Scottish digital travel agency and search engine Skyscanner is the most-ranked Scottish company, having appeared in the ranking for eight consecutive years between 2009 and 2016.
Following the successful launch of the Women in Leadership category in 2022, this year’s awards will mark the inaugural CleanTech award, recognising climate technology companies within the Technology Fast 50 ranking for their contribution to the UK’s Net Zero target.
Eligible companies will produce or use technology, tools, products and services which support emission reductions; lead to more circular economies through the recycling, regeneration, and reuse of resources; and promote well-being for people, communities, and nature through sustainable agriculture, clean air and water, resilient communities and cities, and the preservation and regeneration of natural ecosystems.
Kiren Asad, lead partner for the Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 programme, commented: “The UK start-up scene has shown its resilience and strength despite considerable challenges in the last few years. For that reason, it’s so important that we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of some of the fastest-growing tech companies in the country.
“Our annual Technology Fast 50 awards, now in its 26th year, showcase the businesses that are making a real influence in their sectors. We look forward to viewing this year’s entries, including those in our new CleanTech award, which will help us to celebrate the successes of businesses working towards net zero.”
Shaun Reynolds, Transaction Services Partner at Deloitte, added: “The Technology Fast 50 awards showcase the best of business across the UK, with two of the last three winners hailing from outside of London. It’s essential that we continue to recognise the importance of start-up business for regional economies, which provide crucial jobs, investment and growth. We look forward to seeing all of this year’s Scottish nominations and celebrating climate technology companies as part of the new Clean Tech category.”
For full details and the entry form, please visit https://deloitte.co.uk/fast50.
