2010 Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Awards now open for entries with the 11th Annual Technology Awards to take place in Belfast this year

Pictured with David Crawford, Partner at Deloitte Belfast, is Mary McKenna, founding director of Learning Pool (right) and Lisa McGonigle, senior marketing executive Learning Pool (left).

The local technology industry is being urged to use its ‘home advantage’ as entries open for the 2010 Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Awards, which this year will be held in Belfast’s Europa Hotel on Friday 8th October. The awards, now in their eleventh year, recognise and rank indigenous technology companies – from all over the island of Ireland- with exceptional growth in turnover over the last five years.

A total of 15 Northern Ireland companies were included in the main list last year with Belfast-based company SLA Mobile revealed as the third fastest growing tech company on the island and the Rising Star award - which recognises younger companies with the fastest growth in turnover over the past three years - going to e-learning provider for the public sector, Learning Pool.

One of Learning Pool’s founding directors Mary McKenna, commented on the company’s Fast 50 experience: “2009 was an exciting year for us, and winning the Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star award was the icing on the cake. We welcome the additional profile that the prestigious award brings and as part of our growth trajectory, we’re still doubling revenue year on year”

David Crawford, Partner with Deloitte Belfast, said: “The aim of last year’s Fast 50 was to showcase the resilience and determination of the island’s indigenous technology industry not just to the winning companies’ stakeholders and peers locally, but also to the wider, international industry. Given the overall average rate of growth achieved by local firms, clearly Northern Ireland entrepreneurs are rising above the challenging business environment and are proof that inventive companies will continue to be successful.”

“We are delighted to once again provide Northern Ireland’s technology companies with this opportunity to show just how good they are, especially as the awards will take place in Belfast this year. The theme of this year’s programme is ‘Lead. Innovate. Excel.’ – something we believe local technology companies are doing. We are encouraging all indigenous companies who believe they are displaying these attributes to apply for this year’s awards.”

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.

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Details of how to enter the awards can be found at www.fast50.ie. The closing date for entries is Friday September 3rd.

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In addition to the Fast 50 ranking, the Rising Star category will honour two up and coming companies who are in business less than 5 years.

The All-Ireland Fast 50 companies will also be entered into Deloitte’s EMEA Fast 500 award programme, which recognises Europe’s fastest growing technology companies.
For further information and details of how to enter the award, visit www.fast50.ie.