Ireland's tech base 'proven'

Educational software company Riverdeep emerged as the winner of this year's Deloitte & Touche Fast 50 Awards at a ceremony in Dublin last night.

The company was recognised for achieving aggregate revenue growth of 14,193 per cent over the past three years, a measure far beyond closest competitors, Conduit (953.7 per cent) and BizNet Solutions (923.2 per cent).

Riverdeep will now be invited to participate in a Deloitte & Touche Fast 500 conference, due to be held in the US later this year.

Mr David O'Flanagan, partner with Deloitte & Touche, said Riverdeep's growth had been aided by the access to capital provided by a public listing.

In general, he said the Fast 50 list proved the continued existence of a strong technology base in Ireland.

"These companies have a clear business strategy, a strong management team and a unique product offering," said Mr O'Flanagan.

The Fast 50 Awards recognise and rank the fastest-growing technology companies in Ireland over a three-year period. Of the 50 companies to make it on to this year's list, 13 are based in the North.

Last year's Fast 50 winner, Newry-based First Derivatives, took 29th position this year, with three-year growth of 189 per cent.