Laser technology developer Xsil was awarded top prize last night in the Deloitte Fast 50 awards, which rank the fastest-growing technology firms.
The Dublin-based firm, which was founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Mr Peter Conlon, has generated revenue growth of 3,064 per cent in just three years. Companies must have a minimum revenue of €50,000 to be eligible.
Xsil designs and builds precision laser systems and robotics that can be used to build micro-machines that facilitate the more efficient manufacture of silicon chips by semiconductor firms.
Chief executive Mr Conlon sold another technology firm he founded, MV Technology, for €100 million in 2001.
Web Reservations International, a provider of online reservations technology for the budget traveller, was ranked second in the Fast 50. The firm, which was founded in Dublin in 1999, achieved a growth rate 1,436 per cent.
Etel, a telecoms firm founded by Mr Seán Melly, which operates in central and eastern Europe, was ranked third with revenue growth of 1,019 per cent. Etel won the competition last year.
The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards recognise and rank the fastest-growing technology firms in Ireland by measuring how their revenues increase over time. To qualify for the competition companies have to be in business for three years.
Of the 50 companies ranked, 15 are based in Northern Ireland. The full list ranges from well-established companies such as Electric Paper (ranked 19th) and Trintech Technology (ranked 23rd) to emerging ones such as Púca Technologies (ranked sixth).
