Everseen, a new entrant to the Deloitte Fast 50 Tech Awards took pole position. In fact, the top three winners are all new entrants.
Computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) business Everseen has taken the top spot in Deloitte’s 2020 Fast 50 Technology Awards.
The Deloite Technology Fast 50 is It is a ranking of the country’s 50 fastest-growing technology companies based on revenue growth over the last four years, and this year marks 21 years of the programme.
“Over the last 21 years, the Fast 50 has become the benchmark of success for Irish tech companies”
Over the last 21 years, the Fast 50 has become the benchmark of success for Irish tech companies
Founded in Cork in 2007, Everseen develops computer vision and artificial intelligence solutions for some of the world’s largest retailers. A new entrant to the Fast 50 programme this year, Everseen achieved a growth rate of 2,879pc over the last four years.
Dublin-based company Webio, another new entrant to the ranking, achieved second spot with a growth rate of 2,794pc. The company uses conversational automated intelligence to improve customer engagement: having broken into Europe this year, they plan to bring their platform to the US market by the end of 2020.
The third spot was taken by another new entrant to the ranking, Dublin-based Flipdish. The company operates globally, offering a digital ordering and marketing system to restaurants, cafés and takeaways. It achieved a growth rate of 1,960pc.
Reacting to the win, Everseen CEO, Alan O’Herlihy said: “I’m thrilled to get this recognition of our company’s success, especially as a new entrant into the Deloitte Fast 50 Awards programme. Our team has worked incredibly hard to support our customers and increase revenue and we’re proud of what we have achieved to date.”
Fast 50 winners generated €3.3bn and created 4,600 jobs in 2019
Cumulatively, the 2020 Fast 50 winners generated approximately €3.3bn in total annual revenues and employed over 4,600 people in 2019. The average revenue of companies featured in the ranking was approximately €90m, while the average growth rate of the companies over the last four years was over 400pc. Compared with last year, there are 13 new companies on the ranking.
Companies from across three provinces are featured in this year’s awards. 32 companies are Leinster-based, with 11 from Ulster and eight from Munster. Overall, 10 counties are represented in the 2020 listing.
“Every year at the Fast 50 Awards, we celebrate the incredible innovation and entrepreneurship displayed by Irish tech companies and the immense contribution they make to our economy,” said David Shanahan, partner at Deloitte.
“It is inspiring to see the countless examples of companies who, over the last year, have demonstrated resilience, innovated, adapted and thrived in the face of uncertainty and new challenges.
“From FlipDish – who have provided their restaurant customers with online ordering solutions to help them survive – to Glofox – who have developed virtual offerings for gyms to help us all stay fit and healthy, from the safety of our own homes – Irish tech companies have truly outdone themselves this year. Special congratulations to Everseen, who have hit the top rank on the Fast 50 shortlist on their first appearance, with phenomenal growth over the past four years.
“We’re delighted to be supporting and recognising these companies through the Fast 50 Technology Awards programme. Over the last 21 years, the Fast 50 has become the benchmark of success for Irish tech companies,” said Shanahan.
This year’s awards programme included an inaugural Alumni Award category in addition to the overall ranking. The Alumni Award recognises a company that has played a major part in the Fast 50 Programme to date, having ranked in the number one spot for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017. This year’s Alumni Award winner is Tommy Kelly, CEO of eShopWorld, a global commerce partner to many of the world’s most iconic retail brands that was launched in Dublin in 2010.
2020 MNC Patron Awards
Emphasising the importance of the relationship between multinationals and indigenous companies, the MNC (multinational) patron awards recognised the following companies:
Innovative New Technology Award in association with Google
Winner: Everseen
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.
Impact Award in association with Facebook
Winner: SilverCloud Health
This award is for the company that has made the most significant impact within the current year.
Women in Technology Advocate Award in association with Vodafone
Winner: Vicki Reynolds, CTO, i3PT Certification
This award is given to someone who has demonstrated through their actions that they are an advocate for increasing participation by and promotion of women in the technology sector.
Details of the final Technology Fast 50 ranking are available to download at www.fast50.ie
Pictured in main image at top: Alan O’Herlihy, CEO, Everseen and Ronan Murray, Partner & Head of Financial Advisory, Munster, Deloitte
By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 17 December 2020
