British technology firms continue to grow at a rapid pace despite the uncertain economic environment, pushing into areas from television and media to payment processing and internet dating.
They may be small, but the UK's leading technology companies are expanding at a quite phenomenal rate.
They may be small, but the UK's leading technology companies are expanding at a quite phenomenal rate.
1. Infectious Media
Given Google's astonishing growth, it is no surprise that a firm linked to internet advertising comes out on top. Based in London, with offices in Paris and Hamburg,Infectious Media was founded in 2008 and has achieved a stellar growth rate of 9,774%. It specialises in real-time bidding for website advertising, processing more than 40bn advert decisions per month.
2. Avecto
The second-fastest growing company has capitalised on the flipside of technology – the growing problem of cyber-security. Based in Manchester,Avecto is a Windows security specialist and has posted a growth rate of 4,731% over the last five years.
3. AlertMe
The third-placed company has benefited from the booming demand for energy meters, which monitor power use in homes and are at the forefront of attempts to drive down bills. Based in Cambridgeshire's Silicon Fen,AlertMe specialises in cloud-based services that allow consumers to control and monitor their homes. Partnering with companies such as British Gas, with massive customer bases, AlertMe has grown 3,393% since 2008.
4. Mobile Account Solutions
Can't tell the difference between an iPhone 5S and an iPhone 5C, or worried whether BlackBerry will be around next year? Hertfordshire-based Mobile Account Solutions answers those questions by providing and managing mobiles for businesses – and has grown by 3,332% since 2008. It keeps up with rapid changes in mobile technology, replacing handsets within 24 hours if needed.
5. Lovestruck.com
Given the success of online dating sites, it is inevitable that one would make the top 10. The dating company for busy people, Lovestruck aims to "help you find other gorgeous singles who live, work – or simply are – near you". It accomplishes this through geo-targeting, or matching you to people close by. Operating in London and the home counties, Lovestruck's growth rate has been 2,658%.
6. Monitise
Monitise is a company that helps make banking, paying and buying with a mobile device possible. Based in London, it has grown by 2,319% over the last five years.
7. Sixteen South
Belfast-based Sixteen South specialises in children's TV programmes and its hits include Pajanimals and Driftwood Bay. The latter uses software that replicates stop-motion animation, bringing Ray Harryhausen into the 21st century. It has grown 2,214% since being founded in 2008.
8. FreeAgent
FreeAgent exists to banish that bugbear of every freelancer and small business: the tax return. The Edinburgh-based accounting software service allows users to send invoices and manage expenses, and has grown by 2,128%.
9. Equal Experts UK
Like a digital version of Savile Row, London-based Equal Experts employs a network of freelance developers to produce bespoke software. Clients include O2 and the British government, helping the business achieve growth of just over 2,000%.
10. Backbone Connect
Backbone Connect specialises in data centres, offering services ranging from cloud storage to internet connections and virtual private networks. It has grown 1,810%.
Source: theguardian
