Mobile Success For SLA

Rapid overseas expansion and a string of international deals with some of the world's biggest mobile brands have helped power SLA Mobile to third place in Ireland's high-tech company leader board.

The Belfast-based company also clinched the title of Northern Ireland's fastest-growing technology firm at the Deloitte Fast 50 awards in Dublin after increasing sales by a claimed 4,436% in just five years.

Founded in 2003, SLA Mobile has established itself as a technology market leader for the global mobile industry having designed and installed cutting-edge solutions which enable the worlds' largest operators to deliver rich media content to millions of subscribers and secure a stronger footing in the expanding mobile advertising market.

SLA Mobile Chief Executive, Nic Stirk, said the title was a reflection of Northern Ireland's progress in developing a successful innovation-led technology sector.

Pictured here with David Coates, Associate Partner with Deloitte Belfast, he said: "The Fast 50 awards reward innovation and entrepreneurship and the island of Ireland has a lot to be proud of.

"Being named the best-performing company in Northern Ireland is a huge achievement for us.

"As an entirely self-funded and indigenously-owned business, in less than a decade we've grown from an ambitious start-up company with big plans to being recognised as a serious contender that competes with the biggest firms across the globe," he said, adding that NI's technology companies are fast creating a vibrant and internationally competitive sector.

Previously a two-time recipient of the Deloitte 'Rising Star' title in 2007 and 2008, SLA Mobile recently unveiled an advertising solution for mobile and 3G data card users – designed to help mobile operators increase advertising revenue.

The 'interstitial' advertising manager analyses individual browser behaviour to present tailored advertising between mobile internet pageloads.

It is set to go live to a 25 million-strong subscription base in Indonesia through a tie-up with policy and charging company Volubill.

Now in its ninth year in Ireland, the Deloitte Fast 50 ranks the fastest-growing technology companies in the Republic and Northern Ireland based on percentage revenue growth over five years.

Founded in 2003, SLA Mobile employs more than 80 staff in Belfast, London, Dusseldorf and Kuala Lumpur and was listed as one of top 100 European tech firms to watch at the prestigious Red Herring Awards.

(BMcC/KMcA)