Catagen is top NI firm in Deloitte

Eleven Northern Ireland companies have made it into the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 listing for 2020, with Belfast-based Catagen the highest placed of the local firms.
By Claire Cartmill
Published 18th Dec 2020, 06:00 BST
Pictured marking the announcement of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards at Catagen’s premises in Titanic Quarter are Dr Andrew Woods, CEO of Catagen, and Peter Allen, partner at DeloittePictured marking the announcement of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards at Catagen’s premises in Titanic Quarter are Dr Andrew Woods, CEO of Catagen, and Peter Allen, partner at Deloitte
Pictured marking the announcement of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards at Catagen’s premises in Titanic Quarter are Dr Andrew Woods, CEO of Catagen, and Peter Allen, partner at Deloitte

The Fast 50 awards, now in their 21st year, rank Ireland’s fastest growing technology companies and recognise the indigenous technology companies that have demonstrated outstanding growth in turnover over the previous four years.

This year’s awards were announced at a virtual event on Wednesday 16th December and featured companies from all parts of Ireland’s growing technology sector, including software, hardware, communications, media, clean-tech, and life sciences.

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Cork based software company Everseen Ltd topped the ranking for the first time with growth of 2,879% over the four-year period. Catagen, which describes itself as an independent technology-based clean air and emissions data company, came in fourth on the list to become the highest ranked Northern Ireland company for the second year running.

There were three first time entrants to the Fast 50 programme from Northern Ireland: Derry-based supply chain software provider Foods Connected, Newry-based sports analytics company STATSports Group and Belfast-based IT services business Precept IT. The other NI winners were AquaQ Analytics, Datactics, Decision Time, IRP Commerce, Made to Engage, Repstor and Learning Pool, all of whom have previously appeared on the Fast 50.

Cumulatively, the full list of 2020 Fast 50 winners generated approximately €3.3 billion in total annual revenues last year, with average revenues of €90 million and an average growth rate over the last four years of almost 400%.

Peter Allen, partner at Deloitte said: “The Fast 50 awards are a celebration of entrepreneurial tech businesses across Ireland. The pandemic has presented huge challenges to the way we work and live, and technology has responded to provide innovative solutions. Although the economy has come under severe pressure, this crisis has presented unprecedented opportunities for NI tech businesses to shine. We think it is important to recognise the innovation and entrepreneurship they have shown, and I am delighted to see a strong representation from Northern Ireland on this year’s ranking.

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“Deloitte is proud to have assisted previous and current winners to grow rapidly and attract investment. We have noticed a significant increase in the appetite to invest in our indigenous tech companies as the global marketplace becomes aware of Northern Ireland’s reputation as a fast-growing tech hub of the future.”

The Fast 50 programme also included a number of special category Multinational Company (MNC) awards presented by senior executives from Google, Vodafone and Facebook.

SilverCloud Health was named the winner of the MNC Impact Award in association with Facebook.

Top ranking company, Everseen was also awarded the MNC Innovative New Technology Award in association with Google.

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Vicki Reynolds of i3PT Certification was awarded the MNC Women in Technology Advocate Award in association with Vodafone.

An award celebrating growth of previous Fast 50 winners, the Deloitte Alumni Award, was presented to ESHOPWORLD.

More information on all of the winners can be found at www.fast50.ie.

Related topics:Belfast