High-tech high flyers get helping hand

The fastest growing high-tech companies in the UK are to get a boost from Deloitte & Touche

The international consultancy is introducing its Technology Fast 50 Programme, following a successful three years spent recognising - and encouraging investment in - US high-tech firms.

Deloitte & Touche reckons the programme will ensure companies realise they are not working in isolation, allowing them to network properly, and eventually even gain access to venture capital funds. Companies working in biotechnology, telecoms, and computer hardware and software look set to gain most from the scheme

However, the Fast 50 programme only recognises firms which are at least three years old - making it unlikely to pick out the next Netscape.

Mike Berners Price, national programme director for the UK Deloitte & Touche Fast 50, said: "It's true that, by and large, we want sustained success stories, so we're not looking at start-ups. But this is a serious attempt to find out just why these companies are successful. It's also a way to benchmark UK companies against those from other countries."

In addition to the UK and US, Deloitte & Touche will also run schemes in Australia, Canada and France from this year.

The Fast 50 firms are ranked according to growth in turnover, as well as increases in staff numbers and other factors.

Application details can be found at http://www.fast50.co.uk. The first of the UK regional 'heats' will be for the Eastern region - drawing on the concentration of high-tech ventures in Cambridge and its surrounding areas - with a national ceremony to be held in London in April next year.