VIATeC is pleased to announce the VIATeC 25 list for 2009. The VIATeC 25 is an annual Greater Victoria ranking of the biggest technology firms by revenue, and is sponsored by KPMG.

The VIATeC 25:

• Lists the top 25 technology companies headquartered in Greater Victoria based on revenues.
• Provides potential investors, employees and government agencies with an easy to read listing of who is leading BC's second largest tech sector.
• Demonstrates the value of the tech sector's economic contribution.
• Increases the profile of the region throughout the province and beyond.

The 2009 (in alphabetical order):

AbeBooks.com
Agresso
Archipelago Marine Research
Axys Technologies Inc
Beanstream
Boardwalk Communications
CAMACC Systems
Carmanah Technologies
Contech Enterprises
Daniels Electronics
EDS Advanced Solutions
JEA
MDA Access BC
MYRA Systems
Neverblue Media
OA Solutions
ParetoLogic
Procura
Reliable Controls
Revenue Wire
Schneider Electric
Scott Plastics
Seastar Chemicals
Vecima Networks
Viking Air Limited 

VIATeC 25 Data:

This year's VIATeC 25 have combined estimated calendar 2009 revenues of $729,852,010 for a median average of $14.85 million in annual revenues. These 25 companies are currently employing 2738 staff, which is up 11% over last year and 70% over the 2004 total.

"These 25 companies have played a key role in driving our sector's revenues to $1.95 billion. With our sector's heavy focus on export markets, many are surprised by the overall size of the sector and we are delighted to have an annual list that shows what just a handful of the nearly 900 tech companies in Greater Victoria are accomplishing. These results further demonstrate that our sector has come of age and is firmly established as one of the lynch pins of our local economic future," said Gunn.

VIATeC considers total revenue as an important indicator of the health of the local tech sector and since 2004 the VIATeC 25 total revenue number has increased by 99%. To ensure that a true sense of the growth of the sector is presented, the median average is also calculated and that number hit an all time high of $14,850,000; up $1,550,000 over last year's median average.

The 2009 revenue numbers are down 4.3% from the $762 million reported in 2008. This was anticipated when considering current global economic conditions and following some recent high profile acquisitions of a few of Victoria's most successful technology companies and how the acquiring companies choose to assign revenue to their ongoing Victoria operations.

Another key indicator is the cut off revenue number to make the list and that number has risen by 255% since the first VIATeC 25 list was released in 2004.

"All in all, we are pleased with what this year's survey demonstrates. Revenues are just slightly lower than pre-recession numbers, the median average continues to climb and the cut off number to make the list is way up. No matter how you splice it, the numbers indicate exceptional growth combined with increased stability and strength for the thriving technology sector."

Results of the 2009 VIATeC 25 survey were announced at the annual VIATeC Christmas Party on December 17th, 2009, where over 250 members of the tech community gathered to celebrate the end of another successful year.

To be eligible for inclusion in the VIATeC 25, a company must be a legally incorporated technology company founded or with headquarters in Greater Victoria, and must be among the 25 largest technology companies in Greater Victoria, as ranked by revenues.

KPMG assisted VIATeC with the development of the survey and gathering and compiling the resultant data for the final list.   

Dan Gunn
Executive Director
VIATeC
dgunn@viatec.ca
(250) 483-3209