There’s something in the air in Seattle, and it’s not just the scent of coffee. Smell a little harder and you’ll notice that Seattle doesn’t run on coffee, it runs on innovation.
Our city has spawned world-transforming companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, and Starbucks just to name a few. And there’s always someone in Seattle who can do it a little bit better. Seattle’s history of innovation and disruption is long.
At Deloitte, now more than ever, we believe it’s important to recognize and celebrate companies that have the vision and capability to significantly change the way we think about our world.
For the last 29 years, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 program has recognized the most innovative and fastest-growing companies in North America. This past November, we announced our 2023 Fast 500 winners. Each of them is making an impact through innovation across the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech sectors. In such hyper-competitive times, our Fast 500 honorees have anticipated the challenges of a dynamic business environment and turned them into opportunities. Their achievements are made all the more impressive in the face of continued market and pandemic-related headwinds.
This year’s Technology Fast 500 winners were selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. There was impressive and incredible growth across the board. Our No. 1-ranked company nationwide registered a 222,189 percent growth rate over the three-year period. And 142 companies had a growth rate of 1,000% or higher.
As a Pacific Northwesterner, I take great pleasure in the fact that 20 companies from our region were selected. Among them are exceptional organizations both big and small, privately held, and public, from a wide range of industries including energy and sustainability tech, fintech, life sciences, and software and services. Seven of the winning companies are new to the list, 13 are repeat winners, and four are ranked in the top 100 nationally.
The strength of our region’s tech sector is also illustrated by the purpose and customer-driven missions of our winning companies. Just a few examples: one winning company manufactures rapid-response shelter villages for unhoused people; another helps immigrants send money home in a safe, reliable, and transparent manner; and yet another delivers the data confidence brands needed to unlock growth by truly knowing their customers. Our 2023 winners are growing their companies and our region, all while making the world a better place.
Our November celebration of the Pacific Northwest Fast 500 honorees included a panel discussion, moderated by GeekWire Co-Founder John Cook, with executives from three of our Fast 500 winning companies: Barry Padgett, CEO of Amperity; Nancy Xiao, CEO of Mason; and Sammi Anderson, General Counsel and Chief of Staff to the CEO of Pallet. They all had valuable insights to share. Mr. Padgett emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks and leaning in during times of uncertainty. “This is the time when great companies are made,” he said. “Be decisive, be responsive, go with your gut.” Ms. Xiao stressed the importance of acknowledging chaos, being vulnerable with your team and your leaders, and taking pride in everyone’s personal achievements. She said, “The thing that really gets me out of bed is seeing an employee that’s a software engineer right out of school and three years later she’s a product manager. She won’t be here forever, and I don’t want her to be here forever because I want her to chase her dreams and create her own company.” Among Ms. Anderson’s advice was to plan for everything but expect nothing. “You scratch success from every place that you can,” she said. “Share those victories with your team so they understand in a tangible way how it’s making a difference in their life and in someone else’s.” Ms. Anderson also said something that encapsulates our region perfectly: “Audacity. I love living in a place where people want to innovate and solve hard problems and change the world.” We at Deloitte agree.
On behalf of Deloitte, I’d like to offer a sincere thank you to our sponsors, AHT Insurance and the Washington Technology Industry Association, and a hearty congratulations to all our winners.
For additional details on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, including the complete list and qualifying criteria, visit www.fast500.com. The 2024 application period will be open from April 1 – June 21. If you’re a tech startup leader, we encourage you to apply. Our program can enhance your brand recognition and increase visibility with investors. Please subscribe here for program updates.
