Netlog wins Deloitte Technology Fast50; Albumprinter runner up
Rotterdam, 30 October 2009 – Netlog has been pronounced the winner of the Deloitte Technology Fast50 2009. The election of the fifty fastest growing technology companies in the Netherlands and Belgium took place in the Talent Factory in Den Bosch yesterday. Over the past five years, Netlog generated a revenue growth of 11285%. Albumprinter - last year’s winner – came in second, followed by Webprint. Daan Witteveen, partner at Deloitte and Fast50 programme leader: “We can see a rise in the variety of business sectors represented in the Fast50. These companies set themselves apart by their use of technology to develop new and scalable business models. It’s good to see technology playing a central role in these companies.”
Netlog is an online platform where people can maintain or expand their social network. An online social portal, focusing on young Europeans. Netlog is the brainchild of Netlog NV, established in Gent, Belgium. Well over 56 million members across 38 languages regularly surf Netlog. Lorenz Bogaert, CEO and co-founder of Netlog, is obviously very proud: “This award is an acknowledgement for the entire team’s hard work and perseverance over the last years. It shows we’re on the right track and that we continue to grow. Just yesterday we introduced the completely revised site: a witness to our ceaseless attention to innovation and optimization of our online community.”
Number two, Albumprinter, generated an average revenue growth of 8820% over the last five years. Albumprinter is among the largest European photo album suppliers. It has its own Dutch manufacturing site, where manufacturing for the whole European market takes place. Kees Arends, general director: “We are proud to have again been elected one of the fastest growing Dutch technology companies; it is unique for a company to reach such heights two years in a row. We congratulate Netlog with their win, it’s fantastic that the first Benelux edition of the Fast50 has a Belgian winner.” In 2009, the brand name Albumprinter was changed to Albelli, the international brand name. Early 2007, investment company Van den Ende & Deitmers invested in Albumprinter. Albumprinter wants to use its own Albelli brand to help people across the world make their own photo albums.
Webprint came in third. Over the past five years, they generated an average revenue growth of 7975%. Webprint, too, is active in making and printing photo albums online, but it has a printing center for separate prints as well.
Sustainable Grower Award
The Sustainable Grower Award was awarded to ICTroom Company this year. ICTroom Company specializes in designing, building, financing and managing green datacenters. By now, the company has grown to be one of the leading and fastest growing companies within the technology sector. In 2006, when TomTom took first place, ICTroom came in fourth as a newcomer to the Fast50.
Over the subsequent years they managed a continuous growth and every year they secured a place in the Fast50. This year the company ended in 31st place.
The complete Fast50 ranking.
Also see www.fembusiness.nl.
About the Deloitte Technology Fast50
The Deloitte Technology Fast50 is an annual election of the fifty fastest growing technology companies. This year, the Technology Fast50 celebrates its tenth anniversary and is open to a larger number of businesses, including Belgian companies. Candidates are selected based on sales growth in percentages over the past five years (2004 - 2008). Participants may either be public or private sector companies and involve all technology segments, such as software, internet, biotech/medical appliances, computers/peripheral equipment, semi-conductors, means of communication/networks, media/entertainment and greentech. The Rising Star election is part of the Technology Fast50 and was organized particularly for businesses under five years. These businesses are not assessed on sales growth. A professional jury assesses the candidates on sales potential and other criteria.
