Welcome

Running a fast-growth company can be highly risky, exciting and most of all, damn hard work. Despite that and the backdrop of a tough economic climate, there’s no shortage of good entrepreneurs finding gaps in sizeable markets.

The Fast Growth Business Awards, now in its fifth year and run in conjunction with Growing Business, never disappoints. Entrants consistently showcase the depth and breadth of quality businesses we have here in the UK.

These companies employ copiously and drive the economy, and recession or not, the awards have unearthed some true gems deserving of wider recognition. For this it pays to look back and give mention to some of the businesses that were on the cusp of becoming household names when they took their prizes.

Protein shakes and supplements brand Maximuscle was our inaugural winner of the Company of the Year title in 2007. Just over a year after its win the company’s backer Piper Private Equity and the company’s directors exited in a £75m deal, achieving a 7.5 times return on investment.

The same year, Multimap won the Best Use of Technology title. Later that year, Microsoft acquired the company for an undisclosed, but multi-million pound, deal.

And DVD rental business LoveFiLM was recently touted as a £200m acquisition for Amazon, it’s no coincidence. We invite the best and most ambitious companies to enter one or more categories and judge them assiduously. The awards then provide the platform owner-managers and their teams deserve, showing British business off in glorious technicolour. We look forward to hearing from you.

Ian Wallis, editorial director, Growing Business