League table criteria

League table criteria and nominations

Fast Track uses multiple reference sources, including self-nominations, in the compilation of its league tables. To ensure your nomination is appropriate, please read the criteria below before submitting your nomination form.

League table	Criteria
Tech Track 100 Companies are ranked by their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales over three years. The September 2009 league table will rank companies based on the latest accounts (i.e. 2008 or 2009) and a base year of 2005 or 2006.	Independent tech* company UK registered, unquoted, and not subsidiaries Sales of at least £250,000 in the base year (2005 or 2006) Sales of at least £5m in the latest year (2008 or 2009) Year-on-year sales growth in the latest year from 2007 to 2008, or 2008 to 2009, plus forecast (or actual) sales growth Excluded companies include computer resellers, and those with accounts qualified as "going concern" *The definition of a technology company is based on the London Stock Exchange's techMARK definition, i.e. "a company whose business growth and success is dependent on the development of one or more technologies, and has evidence of technological innovation with regards to a product or service."	Nominate
Fast Track 100 Companies are ranked by their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales over three years. The December 2008 league table will rank companies based on the latest audited accounts (i.e. 2007 or 2008) and a base year of 2004 or 2005.	UK registered, unquoted, and not subsidiaries Sales of at least £250,000 in the base year (2004 or 2005) Sales of at least £5m in the latest year (2007 or 2008) Ten or more employees in the latest year (2007 or 2008) Pre-tax profits in the latest year (2007 or 2008) Year-on-year sales growth in the latest year from 2006 to 2007, or 2007 to 2008, plus forecast (or actual) sales growth Excluded companies include pure property and financial trading companies	Nominate
Buyout Track 100 Companies are ranked by their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in profits (EBITDA) over two years. The league table published in February 2009 will rank companies based on the latest available accounts (i.e. 2007 or 2008) and a base year of 2005 or 2006.	UK registered, unquoted, and not subsidiaries At least 20% of shares owned by a private equity house Profits are EBITDA defined as operating profits + amortisation + depreciation (excluding exceptional costs and impairment of assets) Profits of at least £1m in the base year (2005 or 2006) Profits of at least £3m in the latest year (2007 or 2008) Profits must increase in the latest year, from 2006 to 2007, or 2007 to 2008 Sales must be at least £10m in latest year Excluded companies include property and financial trading companies, and those with restricted accounts	Nominate
Profit Track 100 Companies are ranked by their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in profits over three years. The April 2009 league table will rank companies based on the latest audited accounts (i.e. 2007 or 2008) and a base year of 2004 or 2005.	UK registered, unquoted, and not subsidiaries Profits of at least £500,000 in the base year (2004 or 2005) Profits of at least £3m in the latest year (2007 or 2008) Profits are defined as operating profits with directors' remuneration added back Profits must increase in the latest year, from 2006 to 2007, or 2007 to 2008 Excluded companies include pure property and financial trading companies, and those with restricted accounts	Nominate
Top Track 250 Companies are ranked by sales in their latest audited accounts. The October 2009 league table will rank companies by latest sales in audited accounts to latest financial year end (i.e. between 2007 and 2009).	Companies have to be unquoted at the time of publication of the league table and UK registered Sales are taken as total turnover, net of VAT Companies are not required to be in profit Companies may have their ultimate holding company offshore Sales are typically between £145m and £520m Excluded: Companies that are either equal joint ventures, or majority-owned by quoted companies Companies with the majority of sales generated by their quoted subsidiaries Pure trading companies with fewer than 50 staff Not-for-profit companies, including co-operative societies, mutual societies, provident associations, and member-owned buying group	Nominate
Top Track 100 Companies are ranked by sales in their latest audited accounts. The June 2009 league table will rank companies by latest sales in audited accounts to latest financial year end (i.e. between 2007 and 2009). Draft accounts will be considered.	Companies have to be unquoted at the time of publication of the league table and UK registered Sales are taken as total turnover, net of VAT Companies are not required to be in profit Companies may have their ultimate holding company offshore Sales are typically between £520m and £10bn Excluded: Companies that are either equal joint ventures, or majority-owned by quoted companies Companies with the majority of sales generated by their quoted subsidiaries Pure trading companies with fewer than 50 staff Not-for-profit companies, including co-operative societies, mutual societies, provident associations, and member-owned buying group	Nominate