LONDON, 20 March 2009 - The country-wide search for the most
ambitious companies in the UK is now over. After much deliberation,
Seatwave has been unveiled as Online Business of the Year and Angel
or VC-backed Business of the Year at the Fast Growth Business
Awards 2009.
The internet continues to spawn large numbers of great new
businesses. This year's winner, Seatwave, has grown quickly to
establish significant market share in a new but burgeoning
secondary ticketing industry. The company's innovative business
model has seen it create a true peer-to-peer e-commerce network. It
has a strong acquisitive pedigree, and the judges were suitably
impressed by the breadth and track-record of a management team that
have accomplished international careers in the e-commerce,
marketing, technology and social networking
industries. Furthermore, it is also leveraging its
relationships with a diverse range of established venture investors
to build up a truly international presence; it is already Europe's
largest fan-to-fan ticket exchange for sports, music and other live
events.
The Fast Growth Business Awards, which honour the UK's fastest
growing businesses are organised by Crimson Business in conjunction
with Growing Business magazine. Presented by Adam Shaw of
BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, the black tie awards ceremony took
place at the London Marriott on Wednesday 18 March. Amongst the 300
entrepreneurs and industry leaders who attended, were Kanya King,
founder of the MOBO Organisation, David Soskin, Vice-Chairman of
cheapflights.co.uk and Andy Baker, Managing Director of Friends
Reunited.
The judges were hugely impressed by Seatwave's entry. James
Hurley, editor of Growing Business magazine and
Growingbusiness.co.uk comments:
"The calibre of businesses that enter the Fast Growth Business
is extremely high. And despite the current economic climate this
year was no exception. The winners all had that little something to
set them apart from the rest and the judges are in no doubt that
they are set for an outstanding future."
Other judges included Margaret Manning, CEO of Reading Room,
Alastair Lukies, CEO of Monitise and Perry Wilson, Managing
Director of Insure and Go, who were the winners of the Fast Growth
Business awards last year.
Both Crimson Business and T-Mobile are committed to recognising
and rewarding great businesses and the people running them. For
more information about the Fast Growth Business Awards visit www.fgba.co.uk.