DFJ Esprit Backed Companies Come Up Trumps in Sunday Times Tech Track 100
25 Sep 2009
Four of top ten companies are from DFJ Esprit portfolio
The Sunday Times ‘Tech Track 100’ report has named six private technology companies backed by top-tier European venture capital firm DFJ Esprit in its annual report on Britain’s top one hundred, fastest growing technology companies.
Four of the DFJ Esprit backed companies made it into the top ten, with Apatech, a manufacturer of materials used in orthopaedic surgery being awarded second place, after growing its sales 180% a year from £1m in 2006 to £22.8m in 2009. Integrated circuit developer Phyworks, whose components supply huge network operators such as BT came in fifth place after recording 168% annual growth between 2005 and 2008.
London based DVD rental service Lovefilm.com, which boasts a customer base of more than 1m people came in at number nine, after recording annual sales growth of 128% between 2005 and 2008. Placed at number ten was wireless broadband provider The Cloud, which operates 22,000 wireless access points at 9,000 European locations with sales growth of 111% a year between 2005 and 2008.
Software developer Zeus Technology and call centre software provider the Listening Company also made the top one hundred list, witnessing 45% and 43% annual sales growth respectively between 2005 and 2008. Zeus Technology manages online traffic, enabling websites to function effectively even when there is a high surge in users, whilst the Listening Company provides call-centres and communications services, managing more than 31m conversations a year with a client base including Sky and Microsoft.
Simon Cook, CEO, DFJ Esprit commented, “We are absolutely delighted that so many of our investments have been placed in Tech Track 100, recognising their success during this tough economic climate. It is a real testament to how innovation can create significant value over the long term. DFJ Esprit is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs grow innovation into global companies and these placings really demonstrate that the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Europe is thriving.”
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About DFJ Esprit
DFJ Esprit is a leading cross-stage venture capital firm that invests in European technology and media companies. Members of the DFJ Esprit team have been active in technology investing since 1985 and have experience of investing in over 165 companies and generating strong returns for investors through building valuable companies alongside the founders and management teams.
The DFJ Esprit partners have invested in many of Europe’s most successful venture exits of recent years, including Buy.at, Alphamosaic, KVS and Blackspider. DFJ Esprit is the European partner for the Silicon Valley based Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ) Global Network of venture funds, the largest such network in the world with $6bn under management and offices in 30 cities spanning four continents.
Encore Ventures is a division of DFJ Esprit with a dedicated team focused on the acquisition of venture capital portfolios.
About Tech Track 100
Tech Track 100 is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford based company that researches Britain’s top performing private companies and organises invitation-only events for their owners and directors to network and meet its sponsors.
For further information, please contact:
DFJ Esprit
Josephine Salm, Trimedia josephine.salm@trimediauk.com,
02070257529