⚠ Summarised by AI based on an external source. Last updated: 18 May 2026. Starthubs is not liable for any inaccuracies. Always consult the official challenge information.
Registrations are open for the 27th annual Deloitte Technology Fast 50, the Netherlands' most prominent ranking of the fastest-growing technology companies. Each year Deloitte ranks the 50 Dutch tech scale-ups with the highest revenue growth over the past four years, alongside dedicated awards for the most promising young start-ups (Rising Star), proprietary hardware innovators (Deep-Tech), and pioneers in diverse leadership and sustainability. Winners are revealed at the finale on 5 November 2026 in Het Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam.
What is Deloitte looking for?
The Technology Fast 50 programme spans five award categories, each evaluating different aspects of growth, innovation and impact:
- Technology Fast 50: the 50 fastest-growing Dutch tech companies, ranked by four-year revenue growth
- Rising Star: the most promising young tech start-up with potential to enter the Fast 50 in coming years, judged on ambition, revenue potential, innovation and scalability
- Deep-Tech Award: for companies developing proprietary hardware technology with proprietary IP, often requiring long investment horizons
- Diverse and Inclusive Leadership Award: for scale-ups that embed DE&I at the core of their culture and leadership
- Sustainability Pioneer Award: for scale-ups whose business models drive substantial impact on the Sustainable Development Goals
The Diversity and Sustainability awards can be combined with the Technology Fast 50 or Deep-Tech award. Full evaluation criteria and the registration form are available on the official Deloitte Fast 50 website.
Who is this for?
Eligibility differs per category, but the core requirement is that companies are Dutch-owned, headquartered in the Netherlands and generate most revenue from technology-based products or services. Specific criteria per category:
- Technology Fast 50: founded on or before 31 December 2022, base-year turnover ≥ €50,000 in year 1 and ≥ €1,000,000 in year 4
- Rising Star: founded after 31 December 2022, turnover ≥ €50,000 or ≥ €1M in funding raised since founding
- Deep-Tech: proprietary hardware tech with IP, ≥ €10M in funding or revenue generated in 2025, founded on or before 31 December 2022
- Diverse Leadership and Sustainability: can be added to the Fast 50 or Deep-Tech application via the registration form
What's in it for you?
- National recognition as one of the most innovative, fastest-growing tech companies in the Netherlands
- Inclusion in Deloitte's wider Scale-up Ecosystem and EMEA Technology Fast 500 ranking pathway
- Visibility among investors, journalists and ecosystem partners at the Fast 50 finale on 5 November 2026 in Het Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam
- Access to a strong community of Dutch tech entrepreneurs and the programme's partners: ABN AMRO, Euronext, Kennedy van der Laan and Google Cloud
- Marketing assets and credibility from being named in one of the longest-running tech rankings in the country
- Strong PR moment: previous winners include Zander Labs, Q*Bird, Neople, Nearfield Instruments, Mews and LeydenJar