Northern Irish companies urged to 'stand out from the crowd' at Deloitte Fast 50

- Call for entries for 10^th Annual Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Awards -

Entries have now opened for the 2009 Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Awards, and the local technology industry is being urged to ‘stand out from the crowd’ by notching top performances similar to last year.

The awards, now in their tenth year, recognise and rank indigenous technology companies – from all over Ireland - with exceptional growth in turnover over the last five years.

In terms of Fast 50, 2008 was a bumper year for the local technology industry. Overall, the region was represented by 18 technology companies – including the Rising Star entrant – and collectively they grew by 513% on average (over the previous five years). Walking away with the Northern Ireland ‘Rising Star’ gong for the second year in a row was Belfast-based company Stirk Lamont Associates (SLA). The company achieved a stratospheric growth rise of 4355%.

2008 was also the first time in the history of Deloitte’s Fast 500 EMEA that Northern Ireland companies broke into the European elite. Seven Northern Ireland companies named among the 500 fastest growing firms from across Europe, Middle East and Asia. Leading the local interest was Unitas Software which achieved 303^rd placing overall. Also placed were Lagan (315); First Derivatives (370); Outsource Solutions (407); Barclay Communications (410); Fusion Antibodies (413); and 8Over8 Ltd (466).

Detailing the launch of the 2009 Deloitte Fast 50 Awards, David Coates, Associate Partner at Deloitte Belfast, said: “The Fast 50 awards are an opportunity for technology businesses to gain recognition for their successes and achievements. In what has been a turbulent business environment, there has never been a more important time for businesses to highlight their achievements.

“Northern Irish technology companies have, in the past, proven their ability to achieve growth even in adverse operating conditions. We expect that the companies we recognise this year in the Fast 50 listing will highlight the entrepreneurship, spirit and innovation present in the Irish technology industry and demonstrate that companies with robust business strategies can navigate through the downturn.”

The ranking will feature 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. Details of how to enter the awards can be found at www.fast50.ie. The closing date for entries is Monday September 7 2009.

In addition to the Fast 50 ranking, the Rising Star category will honour two up-and-coming companies (one from the north; and one from the south), who are in business less than 5 years. The winners will be announced in October 2009. Fast 50 companies will also be entered into Deloitte’s EMEA Fast 500 award programme, which recognises Europe’s fastest growing technology companies.

ENDS

For further information contact Geoff McGimpsey on 028 9039 3837

Notes to the Editor

Find attached JPEG pic Fast 50 Launch1

Caption

‘STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD’: Associate Partner at Deloitte Belfast David Coates (right) with Mark McCusker, CEO of Texthelp Systems NI. The Antrim-based company, which develops a range of software products designed to assist individuals to improve their reading and writing abilities, was among 18 NI firms that made into last year’s Fast 50. Deloitte is calling for more companies than ever to ‘stand out from the crowd’ and make their mark on this year’s all-island Fast 50 competition.

About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Programme

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

Entry Criteria:

• Have been operating for a minimum of five years
• Considered a technology company, which is defined as 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

• The parent company must be Northern Irish/Irish-owned and have its headquarters in Northern Ireland/Ireland (subsidiaries of multinational organisations do not qualify)

• Operating revenues must be at least €50,000 for 2004.

Rising Star category

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

• Have been in business for a minimum of three years and less than five years
• Considered a technology company, which is defined as 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

• The parent company must be Irish-owned and have its headquarters in Northern Ireland/Ireland (subsidiaries of multinational organisations do not qualify)
• Operating revenues must be at least €30,000 for the year 2006.

For further information on applications contact:

Kathy Kenny

Deloitte Belfast

T: 028 9032 2861

E: kkenny@deloitte.co.uk

Fast 50 2008 Placings