Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards Calls on Irish Technology Companies

Technology companies in software, hardware, communications, media, clean-tech, fin-tech and life sciences sectors called to apply for Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards...

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards has just issued its call to Irish Companies to enter the 2017 programme. The awards, now in their 18th year, rank Ireland’s fastest growing technology companies and recognises indigenous technology companies that have demonstrated exceptional growth in turnover in the last four years.

The Fast 50 programme is recognised as a true barometer of a company’s success and provides it with a hugely valued, respected and marketable, public “badge of honour”.  
The Deloitte Multinational Patron awards enhances the richness of the process for entrants bringing insight from tech, telecom and life science multinationals to the programme and awards process and visibility for the entrants to those companies.  This year’s new award category is Life Science and the patron is Medtronic.

eShopWorld secured the top spot in the ranking in 2016 for the second year in a row. The company achieved a growth rate of 2596% 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 return.

In recognition of the growing importance of Ireland’s FinTech sector, 2017 also sees the introduction of a FinTech award category sponsored by Silicon Valley Bank.

Recognising that there are many very young companies in the FinTech sector, entrants will be evaluated over three years rather than four.  The winner of this award will receive an expenses paid trade and networking visit to Silicon Valley, US, hosted by Silicon Valley Bank.

Commenting on the new FinTech award, Phil Cox, President of EMEA and Head of Silicon Valley Bank’s UK Branch, said:  “Silicon Valley Bank is delighted to support the FinTech award at Deloitte Ireland’s Technology Fast 50 and we look forward to discovering the winners. Ireland is home to such an exciting mix of innovative businesses, many of whom we are pleased to lend to. FinTech is a particular strength in Ireland which is why we have chosen to sponsor this award in particular. Last year, we announced a further $100m lending commitment into Ireland so this sponsorship will help us identify new businesses to work with.”

Commenting on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards, programme lead Joan O’Connor, Partner at Deloitte said: “The Technology Fast 50 awards celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property in the technology sector in Ireland for almost 20 years and are widely respected as a badge of honour and verifiable public facing recognition of a company’s success.”

She continued to say “These awards offer a glimpse into the future of the technology market for venture capitalists and multinational companies and also provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to highlight their achievements and their future ambitions and aspirations in the global marketplace.  In a hugely competitive technology market, recognition on the Deloitte Fast 50 index gives companies a distinct advantage in attracting key talent”

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 ranking features both private and public listed technology companies that have demonstrated innovative strategies, sound management practices and marketplace vision driving them to achieve the status of high-growth leaders. For details of how to enter and the various Deloitte Multinational 2017 Patron award categories, please visit www.fast50.ie.

The closing date for entries is Friday 15 September 2017 and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 3 November 2017.

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 via the application link, which can be found at www.fast50.ie 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 2013.

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
  • Being technology intensive, or using unique technology to solve problems
  • Devoting a high percentage of effort to technology R&D

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 of Irish or Northern Irish companies or multinational organisations do not qualify.
4. All submissions must be accompanied by signed accounts (pdf version) 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.

Silicon Valley Bank FinTech award                             
To be eligible to be considered for the Fintech award, entrants will be evaluated on various criteria over a three year period.  The winner of this award will receive an expenses paid trade and networking mission to Silicon Valley hosted by Silicon Valley Bank.

Deloitte 2017 Multinational Patron award categories 
1. 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. 
2. Export award in association with Intel
This award will be given to the company showing the highest percentage of exports in their most recent year of trading.
3. Life Science R&D Award in association with Medtronic
This award will be given to the Life Science Company that demonstrates the highest level of investment as a percentage of turnover in research and development within their most recent year of trading. 
4. 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.
5. 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.

Article Published: 22/06/2017