What are the Technology Fast 500 and Fast 50 Programs? Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500/50 programs are a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies across North America. The categories are: Software, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical, Internet, Communications and Networking, Scientific and Technical Instrumentation, Semiconductor, Medical Equipment, Media and Entertainment, and Computers and Peripherals. The ranking includes both public and private companies.
What is the Fast 500/50 ranking based on? The Fast 500/50 ranks companies based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth over five years. Because the programs rank companies based on fiscal year revenues, it is an indication of past growth. It does not take into account current performance or profitability.
What is the difference between the Fast 50 and Fast 500 programs? The Fast 50 is a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing companies in each of the regional programs across North America. Companies that fall within the geographic boundaries of a Fast 50 region will have their nominations submitted for the appropriate Fast 50 program. After the regional Fast 50 rankings have been determined, those companies’ nominations are then automatically submitted for the Fast 500 program, which ranks the 500 fastest-growing companies in North America.
Visit our Technology Fast 50 Web page for more information on the regional programs.
Where do entries for the program come from? Entries for the programs come from nominations submitted directly to the Fast 500 or the regional Fast 50 programs and public company database research.
How do companies qualify? To be considered, Fast 500 and Fast 50 entrants must have met the following criteria:
- Base operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD or CD; and current year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD or CD.
- Must be headquartered within North America and incorporated a minimum of five years.
- Must be a company that owns proprietary technology or proprietary intellectual property that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devotes a significant proportion of revenues to the research and development of technology. Using other companies' technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not qualify.
Does a company have to be publicly held to qualify for the Fast 500/50? No, but private companies must provide a nomination form that contains financial information as well as supporting documentation, such as audited financial statements or signed corporate tax returns.
Do I need to submit tax returns or financial statements for all five years? No, you need to submit financial documentation only for the base year and the current year. For the 2008 program year, we will need FYE 2003 and FYE 2007 financial documentation.
Do I need to submit a separate nomination form for the Fast 50 and the Fast 500? No, a company is eligible for both programs with one nomination submission.
Are revenues published for the Fast 50 Program? No, revenues are not published as part of the Fast 50 program. Only percentage revenue growth over five years is published.
Are revenues published for the Fast 500 Program? Yes, both the base year and current year operating revenues are published for the Fast 500 along with the percentage revenue growth over five years. A company must agree to have revenues disclosed/published in publications determined by us to be eligible for the Fast 500.
Are revenues published for the Fast 500 Rising Star Program?
No, revenues are not published as part of the Fast 500 Rising Star program. Only percentage revenue growth over three years is published.
How long has the Fast 500 been in existence? The Fast 500 was founded in 1995 and celebrates its 14th year in 2008.
Have any companies been on the Fast 500 list since the inception of the program? No.
Why are there not more repeat companies on the Fast 500 list? Because the Fast 500 is based on fiscal year revenue growth over five years, each company’s baseline revenue can increase dramatically each year. A company can be very successful but not rank on the Fast 500. The Fast 500 ranks companies that have experienced exceptionally fast growth. It is not a measurement of current revenue, stock performance, profitability or anticipated future success.
What is the Rising Star category? Rising Star is a special award that recognizes fast-growing technology, media, telecommunications and life science companies that have been in business a minimum of three years but less than five years. Rankings are based on companies’ percentage fiscal year revenue growth over three years. Other qualifications are the same.
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