Call for entries for 2014 Deloitte UK Fast 50 awards

David Halstead, Deloitte technology partner and chairman of the UK Fast 50, said: “The Technology Fast 50 awards provide an excellent opportunity for businesses to talk about their achievements.

“There have been 800 UK Fast 50 award winners from all areas of technology over the last 17 years and past winners have included some of the most dynamic and iconic UK technology companies, including Monitise, notonthehighstreet.com, Mobile Account Solutions and Skyscanner.

“In the past year we have seen one of last year’s Fast 50 winners, Just Eat, become the first ever company to list on the high growth segment of the main market. Analysis from Deloitte shows that, since the start of 2011, around 30 UK technology companies have listed in London, although the majority on AIM, the junior market. Deloitte’s own pipeline anticipates that several more UK technology companies will choose to list in London rather than other overseas stock markets in the coming years.”

Cumulatively, the 2013 UK Fast 50 winners generated over £673 million in total annual revenues, provided jobs for over 5,000 people and recorded an average five-year growth rate of 1389% in the year 2012/13.

Last year’s winner was Infectious Media, based in London. Martin Kelly and co-founder Andy Cocker launched the company in 2008, after careers in large traditional media buying agencies. In 2010, Infectious Media had become the first UK company with a proprietary platform that allowed their clients to plug into online supply sources to find the best advertising opportunities.

Martin Kelly, CEO and Co-founder of Infectious Media: “Winning Deloitte’s Fast 50 was a great achievement and demonstrated our successful growth to the industry. We were proud to be named amongst such esteemed company. The award was validation of the hard work and long hours put in to building the business.

“Since our win, the business has gone from strength to strength, we have continued to build a great team, grow our client base and develop our technology. All of which are vital for our sustained growth.”

The Fast 50 has three sponsors this year, Fidelity Growth Partners, Silicon Valley Bank and Taylor Wessing.

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

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Notes to editors

Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 is one of the UK’s foremost technology award programmes. Now going into its seventeenth successful year, it is a ranking of the country’s 50 fastest-growing technology companies, based on revenue growth over the last five 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 Fast 50 is part of an international programme run by Deloitte, 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

UK Technology Fast 50 eligibility criteria

1. The company must have been in business for a minimum of five years;

2. The company must be considered a technology company, which is defined as:

o Developing or owning proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues;

o Producing technology

o Manufacturing technology-related products

o Be technology intensive, or use unique technology to solve problems

o Devoting a high percentage of effort to technology R&D;

o NB: Using another company’s technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not qualify.

3. The parent company must be UK-owned and have its headquarters in the UK;

o NB: Subsidiaries of UK or multinational organisations do not qualify.

4. Operating revenues must be at least £44,000 (50,000 Euros) for the first financial year of the five year period and £671,000 (800,000 Euros) for the most recent financial year;

o NB: The accounts for year five should have an accounting period ending between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014.

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.

About Fidelity Growth Partners Europe

Fidelity Growth Partners Europe is a venture and growth capital investor that backs technology entrepreneurs with aspiration to greatness. By combining a collaborative approach with a global network and a 40-year history of venture investing, FGPE helps companies accelerate their growth and become true leaders in their field. A strong track record in Europe includes investments in market leaders such as Curam (IBM), Newbay (RIM), Seatwave, InnoGames, Wahanda, Notonthehighstreet and Rivo Software. FGPE is investing a £100 million fund dedicated to backing fast-growing European technology companies.www.fidelitygrowthpartners.eu

About Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank is the premier bank for technology, life science, venture capital, private equity and premium wine businesses. SVB Financial Group provides industry knowledge and connections, financing, treasury management, corporate investment and international banking services to its clients worldwide through 28 U.S. offices and six international operations.  (Nasdaq: SIVB) www.svb.com/uk

Silicon Valley Bank is authorised and regulated by the California Department of Financial Institutions and the United States Federal Reserve Bank; authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority with number 577295; and subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.

Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing is proud to co-sponsor the UK Fast 50 for the fourth consecutive year.

Taylor Wessing is an international law firm with a market leading Technology, Media and Communications industry group. The firm is one of very few to have an international team dedicated to corporate technology – acting for technology companies throughout their life-cycle, from start-up to exit, as well as funds and large corporates investing in tech. We think creatively about business issues and are constantly looking for new and better ways to add value with truly innovative solutions that help to grow our clients' businesses.

Taylor Wessing is immersed in the UK technology scene, and has an office at each point of the country's tech triangle – London, Cambridge and London Tech City, where we were the first firm to open an office.

For more information, please visit www.taylorwessing.com/tmc and follow @TWTechCity and @TWMediaTech.