Canada’s Tech Sector Still Vibrant and Expanding
Eastern Canadian Firms Represented for First Time – 2001 Canadian
Technology Fast 50 Finalists Now Span Coast-to-Coast
Search for Year's and Next Wave of Canada's Fastest Growing Tech Companies
Toronto, August 15, 2001 – Despite the “gloom and doom”
and skepticism around anything technology related, the vibrancy of the tech
sector and its expansion throughout the Canadian economy is evident with
today’s release of the 2001 Deloitte & Touche Canadian Technology Fast 50
finalists. The annual Deloitte & Touche program recognizes Canada’s
fastest growing technology companies, both public and private, from all
technology sectors, including software, life sciences, manufacturing and
computer peripherals.
“This year’s finalists attest that Canada has some of the best
and most resilient technology firms in the world,” said Garry Foster, National
Director, Technology & Communications, Deloitte & Touche. “In
these economically challenging times that has seen the collapse of many firms,
this year’s Canadian Technology Fast 50 firms remain vibrant and a driving
force behind the sector’s continued expansion.”
The 2001 Canadian Technology Fast 50 list includes two finalists
from Nova Scotia, Knowledge House Inc. and InfoInterActive Inc.,
the first time tech companies from Eastern Canada have made it onto the list,
highlighting the expansion of the sector from coast to coast beyond a regional
realm. Alberta also increased its presence by 75%, growing from four to
seven companies while Ottawa re-affirmed its position with four 2001
finalists.
Industry sectors also experienced some dramatic shifts on the
2001 list. The Communications/Networking sector doubled it presence from five
to 10 firms while the Internet sector grew 65%, growing to five firms from
three the previous year.
The 2001 Canadian Fast 50 finalists also includes a solid
showing from last year’s recipients. This year’s list includes 18
companies or 36% from the 2000 recipients, six of which have placed for three
consecutive years – Pivotal Corporation (BC), Shop 9000 Sales Inc.
(ON), Fin Tech Solutions Ltd. (AB), Aastra Technologies Limited (ON),
Selkirk Financial Technologies Inc. (BC) and Dundas Software (ON).
Two companies, BCE Emergis and Research in Motion, have been the
most consistent, appearing in the Canadian Technology Fast 50 rankings in all
four years since the program’s inception in 1998.
“When a company can post consistent revenue growth of the scale
required to place in the Canadian Technology Fast 50 they become recognized as
companies that will lead the New Economy," says Foster. "Their
vision, hard work, and perseverance in the face of an extremely challenging and
dynamic tech sector set a high standard for continued success and sustainable
growth.”
The Deloitte & Touche Canadian Technology Fast 50 recognizes
the importance of Canadian technology companies and profiles Canada's industry
leaders helping them to get the attention and support they deserve at home and
abroad. The annual program ranks the 50 fastest-growing technology companies
based on the highest rates of revenue growth during the last five years
(1996-2000). The final ranking of the 2001 Deloitte & Touche Canadian
Technology Fast 50 recipients will be revealed at a gala event on September 20,
2001.
Deloitte & Touche is one of Canada’s leading business
advisors to the high tech industry with clients ranging from start-ups to world
class organizations. The Deloitte & Touche Technology & Communications
practice works with companies involved with the business of software and
multimedia, telecommunications, computers and peripherals, semiconductors and
semiconductor equipment, and life sciences.
Deloitte & Touche is a leading Canadian professional
services firm providing a full range of accounting, auditing, tax and
management consulting services, with more than 5,000 people in offices in 50
cities across the country. The firm's multifunctional professionals bring their
expertise to developing effective business solutions to more than 55,000
clients in all sectors of the Canadian economy.
We are a firm of choice – our mission is to help our clients and
our people excel.
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