Tech Track 100
The Sunday Times Tech Track 100 is an annual league table published in association with The Sunday Times newspaper in the UK. It ranks Britain’s 100 private technology (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales over their last three years.[1] It is published in The Sunday Times each September, with an awards event typically held in November,[2][3] and networking dinners for alumni companies throughout the year. The league table is researched and produced by Fast Track, an Oxford-based research and networking events business.[4][5][6]
About Fast Track
[edit]Fast Track is a leading research and events company that has built a network of the UK’s top-performing private companies, from the fastest-growing to the biggest, through its rankings in The Sunday Times. Founded in 1997[7] by Hamish Stevenson,[8][9] it now publishes seven annual league tables and brings company founders and directors together at invitation-only networking awards events and alumni dinners.[10]
Criteria
[edit]Companies have to meet the below criteria[11][12][13] to be able to qualify for the Tech Track 100 league table:
• Independent technology[14] company
• UK registered, unquoted, and not subsidiaries
• Sales of at least £250,000 in the base year
• Sales of at least £5m in the latest year
• Trading weeks in the base and latest years have to exceed 25
Companies that do not meet the criteria can still be considered for the Ones to Watch programme.[15] This is a selection of companies that have either achieved, or predict, good sales growth.
Exclusions
[edit]• Excluded companies include payday lenders, computer resellers and companies that are equal joint ventures, or majority-owned by quoted or other companies. IT consultancies and IT services companies are required to generate a significant proportion of their sales from proprietary technologies.
Notable alumni companies
[edit]Tech Track 100 was launched in 2001 to recognise Britain’s private technology companies with the fastest-growing sales. Since its launch, more than 1,000 companies have appeared on the league table, including:
• Blue Prism, the automation software developer, featured as a One to Watch in 2015 with sales of £4.5m.[16] It floated in 2016 raising £21.1m.[17] In June 2019, it acquired thoughtonomy, No. 4 in Tech Track 100 2018, in a $100m deal.[18][19]
• Ocado, the online supermarket, first appeared on Tech Track 100 in 2006 with sales of £143m.[20] It floated in 2010.[21][22]
• Sophos, the cybersecurity software provider, which first featured in 2002,[23] was valued at £1bn when it floated in 2015.[24][25]
• Just Eat, the online takeaway business, which first featured in 2011,[26] was valued at £1.5bn when it floated in 2014,[27][28] and merged with Dutch firm, Takeaway.com, in a £6.2bn deal in 2020.[29][30]
• King, the gaming website operator, first appeared on Tech Track 100 in 2007,[31] floated in 2014[32] and was acquired by Activision Blizzard for $5.9bn in 2016.[33][34]
Latest Tech Track 100 league table
[edit]The 20th anniversary Sunday Times Tech Track 100 league table supplement was published on 6 September 2020[35] and featured companies such as tech unicorns Darktrace, Checkout.com and TransferWise. The top company was Revolut, the digital banking services provider.[36][37][38]
Previous rankings
[edit]The 2012 Sunday Times Tech Track 100 league table ranked the top 100 of Britain's private technology, digital media and telecoms (TMT) companies that demonstrated the fastest sales growth over the preceding three years, between 2008 and 2011, or between 2009 and 2012.[39][40]
The 2012 Tech Track included a new category, Ones to Recognise, for the first time since the inaugural awards in 1997. This is a list of five companies which demonstrate strong potential but did not make it into the top 100 spots.
| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essence[41][42] | Digital marketing agency | 283.94 | http://www.essencedigital.com/ |
| 2 | LycaMobile[43][44] | International telecoms operator | 247.25 | http://www.lycamobile.com/ |
| 3 | Wonga.com[45] | Online money lender | 244.57 | http://www.wonga.com/ |
| 4 | MobileWebAdz[46][47][48] | Mobile advertising provider | 217.72 | http://www.mobilewebadz.com/ |
| 5 | ZBD Solutions[49] | E-paper display developer | 212.80 | http://www.zbdsolutions.com/ |
| 6 | musicMagpie.co.uk | Online entertainment trader | 191.31 | http://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/ |
| 7 | Nomad Digital | Transport communications provider | 185.69 | http://www.uknomad.com/ |
| 8 | WageDayAdvance | Online money lender | 171.85 | http://www.wagedayadvance.co.uk/ |
| 9 | AlertMe | Smart home monitoring provider | 168.99 | http://www.alertme.com/ |
| 10 | Unruly Media | Video advertising distributor | 157.61 | http://www.unrulymedia.com/ |
| 11 | Equal Experts | Software developer | 154.90 | http://www.equalexperts.com/ |
| 12 | Ubiquisys[50] | Telecoms services provider | 151.82 | http://www.ubiquisys.com/ |
| 13 | Asperity Employee Benefits | Employee benefits provider | 145.13 | http://www.asperity.co.uk/ |
| 14 | Evance Wind Turbines | Wind turbines developer | 144.28 | http://www.evancewind.com/ |
| 15 | BCS Global | Video-conferencing services provider | 138.49 | http://www.bcsglobal.com/ |
| 16 | MedicAnimal | Online pet retailer | 118.42 | http://www.medicanimal.com/ |
| 17 | Skyscanner.net | Flight comparison website | 118.20 | http://www.skyscanner.net/ |
| 18 | Bowman Power | Electrical turbogenerator developer | 116.99 | http://www.bowmanpower.com/ |
| 19 | Rarewaves | Entertainment retailer | 113.40 | https://www.rarewaves.com/ |
| 20 | Omnifone[46] | Digital music provider | 106.28 | https://web.archive.org/web/20090810073617/http://www.omnifone.com/ |
2011 top ten rankings
[edit]| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wonga.com[51] | Online money lender | 361.29 | http://www.wonga.com/ |
| 2 | Reward Gateway Employee Benefits | Employee benefits provider | 266.52 | http://uk.rewardgateway.com/ |
| 3 | GadjetSupply.com | Premium Mobile Phone Accessories supplier | 205.21 | http://www.gadjetsupply.com/ |
| 4 | Fixnetix | Financial trading services provider | 191.13 | http://www.fixnetix.com/ |
| 5 | XConnect | Telecoms services provider | 171.68 | http://www.xconnect.net/ |
| 6 | I Spy | Digital marketing agency | 169.63 | http://www.ispymarketing.com/ |
| 7 | Telemetry | Online video delivery and analysis | 168.54 | http://www.telemetry.com/ |
| 8 | The Hut Group | Online retailer | 141.62 | http://www.thehut.com/ |
| 9 | Peach Telecom | Telecoms services provider | 137.36 | http://www.peachtelecom.co.uk/ |
| 10 | Smart Traffic | Digital marketing agency | 129.36 | http://www.smart-traffic.co.uk/ |
2010 top ten rankings
[edit]| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PKR | 3D poker website operator | 356.44 | http://www.pkr.com/ |
| 2 | Mimecast | Email management services provider | 173.14 | http://www.mimecast.com/ |
| 3 | Quickstart Global | IT services provider | 167.89 | http://www.quickstartglobal.com/ |
| 4 | The Hut Group | Online retailer | 161.92 | http://www.thehut.com/ |
| 5 | Adconion Media Group | Digital advertising distributor | 149.65 | http://www.adconion.com/ |
| 6 | Monumental Games | Computer games developer | 146.31 | http://www.monumentalgames.com/ |
| 7 | Shebang | Point-of-sale software developer | 136.58 | http://www.shebang.net/ |
| 8 | Forward Internet Group | Media technology developer | 120.04 | http://www.forward.co.uk/ |
| 9 | GPEG | LCD display developer | 119.92 | http://www.gpegint.com/ |
| 10 | Sciemus | Risk-analysis software developer | 118.46 | http://www.sciemus.com/ |
2009 top ten rankings
[edit]| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hut Group | Online retailer | 188.77 | http://www.thehut.com/ |
| 2 | ApaTech | Bone graft manufacturer | 180.08 | http://www.apatech.com/ |
| 3 | wewillbuyyourcar.com | Online car dealer | 177.88 | http://www.wewillbuyyourcar.com/ |
| 4 | Mobica | Mobile phone application designer | 174.92 | http://www.mobica.com/ |
| 5 | Phyworks | Integrated circuits developer | 168.03 | http://www.phyworks-ic.com/ |
| 6 | Skrill | Online payment provider | 152.40 | http://www.moneybookers.com/ |
| 7 | Geo Networks | Fibre optic network provider | 146.29 | http://www.geo-uk.net/ |
| 8 | Ubisense | Precision location technology provider | 127.89 | http://www.ubisense.net/ |
| 9 | LOVEFILM.com | Online DVD rental provider | 127.78 | http://www.lovefilm.com/ |
| 10 | The Cloud | Wireless broadband service provider | 113.20 | http://www.thecloud.net/ |
2008 top ten rankings
[edit]| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobile Interactive Group | Mobile and digital technology provider | 422.30 | https://web.archive.org/web/20120617185936/http://www.migcan.com/ |
| 2 | LOVEFILM.com | Online DVD rental provider | 239.28 | http://www.lovefilm.com/ |
| 3 | Netbasic | Website developer | 235.30 | http://www.netbasic.co.uk/ |
| 4 | Timico | Converged communications provider | 205.70 | http://www.timico.co.uk/ |
| 5 | ApaTech | Bone graft manufacturer | 204.57 | http://www.apatech.com/ |
| 6 | Tideway Systems | Software developer | 184.01 | http://www.tideway.com/ |
| 7 | NEG Telecom | Telecoms services provider | 175.40 | https://web.archive.org/web/20060721201749/http://www.networkeuropegroup.com/ |
| 8 | The Hut Group | Online retailer | 173.07 | http://www.thehut.com/ |
| 9 | Tomorrow Communications | IT network provider | 153.11 | http://www.tomorrowcomms.com/ |
| 10 | Forward Internet Group | Media technology developer | 151.91 | http://www.forward.co.uk/ |
2007 top ten rankings
[edit]| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holiday Rooms Direct | Online hotel agency | 513.98 | http://www.holidayroomsdirect.com/ |
| 2 | Codian | Video conferencing | 489.49 | http://www.codian.com/ |
| 3 | The Best Of | Community website franchisor | 486.31 | |
| 4 | AMV Holding | Mobile content provider | 467.00 | https://web.archive.org/web/20130303185311/http://amvholding.com/ |
| 5 | LOVEFILM.com | Online DVD rental provider | 367.92 | http://www.lovefilm.com/ |
| 6 | Pitch Entertainment | Mobile services provider | 326.42 | http://www.pitch.tv/ |
| 7 | Stirk Lamont & Associates | ICT consultancy | 317.64 | http://www.sla-ltd.com/ |
| 8 | NEG Telecom | Telecoms services provider | 265.73 | https://web.archive.org/web/20060721201749/http://www.networkeuropegroup.com/ |
| 9 | buy.at | Online marketer | 254.10 | http://www.buy.at/ |
| 10 | Timico | Converged communications provider | 253.99 | http://www.timico.co.uk/ |
2006 top ten rankings
[edit]| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gamesys | Gaming website operator | 301.48 | http://www.gamesyscorporate.com/ |
| 2 | Apertio | Mobile telecoms software developer | 299.50 | https://web.archive.org/web/20120414152916/http://www.apertio.co.uk/ |
| 3 | Pulsic | Silicon chip software developer | 272.31 | http://www.pulsic.com/ |
| 3 | The Search Works | Search engine advertiser | 272.31 | http://www.thesearchworks.com/ |
| 5 | Redtray | E-learning software developer | 253.19 | http://www.redtray.co.uk/ |
| 6 | ITM Soil | Soil testing equipment maker | 249.32 | https://web.archive.org/web/20130611201638/http://itm-ltd.com/ |
| 7 | Mobile Fun | Online retailer | 237.83 | http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/ |
| 8 | Vivo Technologies | Communication accessories provider | 204.30 | http://www.pdamods.com/ |
| 9 | Assima | E-learning software publisher | 195.02 | http://www.assima.net/ |
| 10 | Latitude | Digital marketing agency | 191.42 | https://web.archive.org/web/20081123044923/http://www.searchlatitude.com// |
2005 top ten rankings
[edit]| Ranking | Company Name | Business Activity | Sales growth (% per annum) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daisy Communications | Telecoms service provider | 457.77 | http://www.daisycommunications.co.uk/ |
| 2 | iFone | Wireless games publisher | 357.94 | https://web.archive.org/web/20100126033753/http://www.ifone.com/ |
| 3 | Intelligent Energy | Clean power systems developer | 327.09 | http://www.intelligent-energy.com/ |
| 4 | Total PDA | Online multimedia retailer | 288.11 | http://www.totalpda.co.uk/ |
| 5 | Marketpipe | Financial software developer | 271.41 | http://www.marketpipe.com/ |
| 6 | Gamma Telecom | Telecoms network operator | 261.32 | http://www.gammatelecom.com/ |
| 7 | Betfair | Online bookmaker | 231.00 | http://www.betfaircorporate.com/ |
| 8 | MX Telecom | Wireless technology developer | 228.91 | http://www.mxtelecom.com/ |
| 9 | Clearswift | Security software developer | 215.75 | http://www.clearswift.com/ |
| 10 | Argogroup | Testing software developer | 211.26 | http://www.argogroup.com/ |
Other Fast Track publications
[edit]Tech Track 100 is one of seven league tables of private companies produced by "Fast Track" and published in The Sunday Times:
- Fast Track 100 – ranks the UK’s fastest-growing private companies based on sales (excluding TMT companies, which appear in Tech Track 100)
- SME Export Track 100 – ranks the UK's SMEs with the fastest-growing international sales
- Tech Track 100 – ranks the UK’s fastest-growing private technology companies based on sales (the sister table to Fast Track 100)
- International Track 200 – ranks the UK’s private mid-market companies with the fastest-growing overseas sales
- Profit Track 100 – ranks the UK’s private companies with the fastest-growing profits
- Top Track 250 – ranks the UK’s leading mid-market private companies based on sales and/or profits growth
- Top Track 100 – ranks the UK’s biggest private companies based on sales
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