France overtakes UK in Fast 500

UK loses out to France in Deloitte figures

The Deloitte Fast 50 lists France as the king of EMEA technology innovation

France has dethroned the UK as the king of EMEA technology innovation, figures from Deloitte have suggested.

According to the 2008 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list, France plays host to more fast-growth tech firms than the UK – ­ despite the UK leading the way last year.

Two UK companies made it into the top five this year, with enterprise communications software vendor Thunderhead UK taking first place with 28,558 per cent growth, and real-time location software specialist Ubisense coming in third with growth of 15,323 per cent.

However, France topped the overall standings with 75 ranked firms, compared with the UK’s 69.
Overall, companies that ranked on the Technology Fast 500 EMEA 2008 programme had an average growth rate of 1,297 per cent.

Kay Bruen, UK managing director of distributor Westcon Security, was surprised to hear France had overtaken the UK.

“I do not think the UK is lacking in innovation,” she said. “The French are more risk averse in their economy, with their mortgage rules, for example. If that has carried through to business, maybe it has cushioned them.”