Top 50 fastest growing tech companies in the region

• Companies from ten countries in the Central-European region made their way into the top this year, thus making the 2009 ranking the most diverse so far;

• 24 companies made the ranking for the first time;

• Internet companies and software developers are still dominating the hierarchy;

• Following the crisis, the overall average growth rate has fallen from 1,271%, last year, to 933%;

• Average growth rate of the five fastest growing companies was 3,526%, down from last year’s 5,204%;

• Average age of FAST 50 companies is ten years.

Methodology

FAST 50 entrants must be a technology company, defined as an owner of proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues; or as a company that devotes a significant portion of revenues to research and development of technology. Eligibility criteria also include operating revenues of at least 50,000 Euro (revenue must be accounted on a consistent basis during a period of five years); activity of the business for a minimum of five years.

The CEO Survey, which is part of this year’s ranking, illustrates that companies and CEOs themselves are currently facing different challenges that they had in previous years. Focus has shifted towards achieving and sustaining profitability, managing risk and volatility and raising capital. Confidence in growth in the next 12 months is positive, as 76% of respondents said there were very confident and extremely confident.