The UK Fast 50 is a ranking of the country's 50 fastest-growing technology companies, based on percentage revenue growth over the last four years. Now in its twenty-sixth year the UK Fast 50 awards recognise revenue growth driven by leading intellectual property and are a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Nominations are open to public and private companies, large and small, in all areas of technology, from internet specialists to life sciences, computers to semiconductors and software to telecommunications.
View the eligibility criteria on the 'Do you qualify?' page.
Nominations for the 2023 programme opened on 12 June and closed on 1 September.
To enter, you will first need to register an account (providing a username and password). This is so you can save the form and return to it at a later date if you need to.
Once registered, you must complete the online nomination form which includes providing details of company revenues over the last four years, as well as submitting soft (PDF) copies of signed, audited and unabbreviated accounts for years one (2019/20) and four (2022/23).
The percentage revenue growth is calculated by year four revenue minus year one revenue, divided by year one revenue.
You can print a copy of the 2023 entry form to prepare your answers in advance. Please note this printable form is for reference only - only online submissions are accepted.
The UK Technology Fast 50 is a ranking of the country's 50 fastest-growing technology companies, based on percentage revenue growth over the last four years.
The CleanTech category is new to 2023 and recognises climate technology companies within the Technology Fast 50 for their contribution to the UK’s net zero target. Eligible companies are those who meet the Fast 50 entry criteria and produce or use technology, tools, products and services which support emission reductions; lead to more circular economies through the recycling, regeneration, and reuse of resources; and promote well-being for people, communities, and nature through sustainable agriculture, clean air and water, resilient communities and cities, and the preservation and regeneration of natural ecosystems.
The Fast 50 Women in Leadership category was new to 2022’s programme and recognises those companies within the Technology Fast 50 that are either led by a female* CEO or have a founding team comprised of at least 50% women. The ranking will still be judged based on percentage revenue growth over the last four years and entry qualifications are the same as the UK Tech Fast 50.
* The terms ‘women’ and ‘female’ are taken to include all those who self-identify as women or female and engage with their current employers as such..
The Regional Winners category recognises the fastest growing business within each region of the UK. Your ‘region’ is decided based on where your Head Office is located. View the definition of regions here. The ranking is determined by percentage revenue growth over the last four years and entry qualifications are the same as the UK Tech Fast 50.
The Rising Star award recognises the innovation and achievements of UK tech businesses who are leading the way but have not been in operation for four years and therefore do not qualify to enter the Technology Fast 50 awards. We do not accept applications for the Rising Star award; Deloitte and each of our sponsors nominate and name a Rising Star as part of the programme. In 2022, the winners were: United Fintech (named by Oracle NetSuite), The Electric Car Scheme (named by Multiverse), Walr (named by Business Growth Fund), Vaarst (named by Deloitte as the regional winner) and newcleo (named by Deloitte as the London winner).
Most nominees enter the programme to increase their company profile. The Fast 50 gives them the opportunity to leverage their brand, widen their reach and increase their media recognition.
But that's not all, winners also:
* Unfortunately due to Apprenticeship Levy restrictions at this time, businesses located in Wales and Scotland are not eligible for this programme.
It was launched in the US in 1995 and quickly expanded worldwide; the UK Fast 50 is now in its twenty-sixth year, and began in 1998.
We are looking for the speed of growth, so the ranking is based on the percentage of stated revenue growth over four years. We do not measure current financial performance or profitability.
For the 2023 UK Fast 50, companies are ranked based on percentage growth for each company's stated fiscal year revenues over the last four years (2019/20 to 2022/23).
The percentage revenue growth is calculated by year four revenue minus year one revenue, divided by year one revenue.
Nominations for the 2023 UK Technology Fast 50 closed on 1 September. Winners were announced on 17 November.
It's free - there is no fee to nominate yourself or another company.
Yes, entries can be sent in by the companies themselves or by a third party.
Please select the region where the nominated company's Head Office is located. View the full list of regions here.
See the full list of technology sub-sectors here. If you have any questions about which sector your company fits into, please email UKDeloitteFast50@deloitte.co.uk.
No, due to Data Protection Standards, information from previous years' nominations is not stored. Entrants are required to register a new account and complete a new nomination for the 2023 programme.
No, but private companies must provide financial information and supporting documentation such as financial statements.
Please email UKDeloitteFast50@deloitte.co.uk with any questions you may have about the UK Fast 50.
