Data Electronics, a provider of managed technology services established 30 years ago, has won the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 award, which was presented at a ceremony in Belfast last night.
The company is Ireland's oldest data centre operator, and has seen aggregate revenue growth of 4,376 per cent over the past five years.
This year has been particularly strong for Data Electronics, as it added a €2.5 million extension to its data centre and signed up customers including Vodafone and Smart Telecom to multimillion euro contracts. Last year it came 40th in the Fast 50, with growth of 135 per cent.
Second place went to Alltracel Pharmaceuticals, a medical technology company operating in the wound care, oral care and coronary health sectors. A debutant in the contest, it has grown 2,771 per cent over six years.
Dundalk-headquartered broadband provider Digiweb recorded the third-fastest increase in the list, growing 2,384 per cent. It offers wireless, DSL and satellite broadband services to consumers and businesses nationwide.
Belfast-based document and records management firm Meridio finished in fourth position, while Bárd na nGleann, a technical writing and translation services company with offices in west Cork and Silicon Valley, came fifth.
Data Electronics' victory is remarkable, given that the competition rewards growth rates and has always been dominated by newer companies such as Riverdeep, eTel, and Xsil. Three of the top five companies this year have made their first appearance in the top 50.
Dublin-based companies dominated the list, comprising just fewer than half the entries.
However, its all-Ireland nature was underlined by the inclusion of 16 companies with headquarters in Northern Ireland.
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