December 24, 2004—Deloitte & Touche USA has released its tenth annual list of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America based on percentage revenue growth over five years (FY 1999-2003). Internet search engine Google topped the 2004 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, with a revenue growth rate over five years of 437,115 percent, moving from revenues of $220,000 in 1999 to $961,874,000 in 2003.
In addition to Number 1-ranked Google, the top five Fast 500 winners include:
- Number 2 – TheraSense (ABT), an Alameda, California-based life sciences company that develops and sells glucose self-monitoring systems that reduce the pain of testing for those with diabetes.
- Number 3 – STSN, Inc., a Salt Lake City-based privately held Internet company that provides high-speed Internet access to the hospitality industry.
- Number 4 – Cardiac Science, Inc., a life sciences company that develops and manufactures cardiac defibrillators.
- Number 5 – Pricegrabber.com, a privately held Internet company that provides online comparison shopping.
Software industry companies accounted for 38% (192 companies) of the 2004 Fast 500 winners, consistent with 39% in 2003, but down from 48% in 2002 and 57% in 2001. Companies in the life sciences industry represented 22% (108 companies), up from 19% in 2003, 16% in 2002, and 15% in 2001. Internet companies represented 14% in 2004, communications and networking companies accounted for 14%, semiconductor and equipment companies represented 6%, and computer and peripheral companies represented 6%.
Deloitte also honored 25 “Rising Star” companies—NorthAmerica-based technology companies that have accomplished fast growth and have been in business less than five years but at least three years (FY 2001-2003). Topping the list are:
- Number 1 – TRIRIGA, a privately held software company based in Las Vegas, Nevada, with 8,247 percentage growth over three years.
- Number 2 – Sourcefire, Inc., a privately held software company based in Columbia, Maryland, with 5,884 percentage growth over three years.
- Number 3 – Access Integrated Technologies, Inc., a public software company based in Morristown, New Jersey, with 5,855 percentage growth over three years.
For a complete list of the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, visit Deloitte.
