This year’s awards introduce the Rising Star award in association with Enterprise Ireland.
Entries are now open for the 24th annual Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards.
As one of Ireland’s foremost technology award programmes, the awards rank Ireland’s 50 fastest growing indigenous technology companies based on revenue growth over the last four years, celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship.
“This year, tech companies have faced numerous challenges from increased costs to a slowdown in the global economy. Despite this, sentiment in the indigenous sector remains strong”
The list features both private and public listed technology companies that have demonstrated creative strategies, sound management practices and marketplace vision, driving them to achieve the status of high-growth leaders.
Resilience of indigenous tech industry
“I’m very excited to be leading the Fast 50 programme this year which showcases the growth of technology businesses in Ireland,” said James Toomey, partner and Fast 50 programme lead at Deloitte.
“This year, tech companies have faced numerous challenges from increased costs to a slowdown in the global economy. Despite this, sentiment in the indigenous sector remains strong. There have been significant market developments propelling the industry forward including the more mainstream use of AI, advancements in cloud computing and Internet of Things.
“Working with technology companies every day on complex transactions, I see first-hand the hard work that goes into building and growing a business. Our annual Fast 50 awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise some of Ireland’s fastest growing technology companies and establish a benchmark for how the indigenous tech industry is performing.”
David Shanahan, partner, who, since becoming Head of Deloitte Private, has handed over the Fast 50 reins to James, said: “Over my past five years leading Fast 50, it has been exciting to see such an incredible range of successful and innovative Irish technology businesses raising unprecedented levels of funding, scaling overseas and having such a positive impact on the Irish economy and wider society.”
This year’s awards programme will include several award categories that companies can enter in addition to the overall ranking as well as introducing a new “Rising Star” award. The Rising Star award in association with Enterprise Ireland will be awarded to a company who demonstrates a promising growth trajectory and the potential for inclusion in the Fast 50 rankings in years to come. Companies being considered for this award have operating revenues accounting for a minimum of two years and less than four years.
Growing New Technology Award in association with Google: This award recognises a company that has created or introduced a new or innovative product or service to international markets, which helped grow their business over the last four years.
Impact Award in association with Meta: This award recognises a company that has made a significant impact within the current year.
Women in Technology Advocate Award in association with NetSuite: This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated through their actions that they are an advocate for increasing participation by, and promotion of, women in the technology sector.
Scale Up Award in association with Scale Ireland: This award recognises a company that has demonstrated an impressive ability to scale up/expand overseas over the last four years.
Financial Services Innovation Award in association with Financial Services Ireland: This award will recognise a company with an innovative product or services that is having a disruptive impact within the financial services industry.
Last year’s top ten featured seven new entrants to the awards. Fintech company Swoop placed fourth and CEO and Founder Andrea Reynolds was awarded the Advocate for Women in Technology Award. Swoop is a global platform supporting SMEs by bringing their business data into one place to garner insights and be instantly matched to eligible finance, as well as assess their spend on cost categories such as energy, banking and FX.
Full details can be found at deloitte.ie/fast50
The closing date for entries is 6 October 2023 and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin on 30 November 2023.
Main image at top: David Shanahan, partner, Head of Deloitte Private, Jennifer Melia, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland, Andrea Reynolds, CEO and Founder, Swoop Funding and James Toomey, partner, Fast 50 programme lead, Deloitte. Photo: Jason Clarke Photography
