NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Swedish watches and accessories retailer Daniel Wellington was the fastest growing entrepreneurial company in Europe over the past three years, topping Inc. Magazine's third annual Inc. 5000 Europe list.

The Inc. 5000 Europe represents the only comprehensive look at what may be the most dynamic segment of the world's economy: fast-growing private companies.

Daniel Wellington boasted an astounding 4,695% growth rate over the past three years. They are joined by an impressive collection of closely-held companies that represent innovation, determination, and endurance across a number of fields, including Supercell (Finnish maker of the "Clash of Clans" app), UK's Allied Wallet (global fin-tech and e-commerce), Leap Group (Dutch retailer of Apple products), and France's Le Petit Vapoteur (online retailer of bespoke vaping flavor and accessories) .

The 2017 Inc. 5000 Europe list, unveiled this week on Inc.com [http://www.inc.com/inc5000eu], includes infographics and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria. It serves as a unique report card on the European economy. Within an uncertain economic climate, latest aggregate revenue among the companies on the list actually increased to €90.3 billion, up from €20.7 billion in 2012, with a median three-year growth rate of 331 percent.

The list features an amazing group of thriving businesses growing at breakneck speed over the past three years:

  • In aggregate, Inc. 5000 Europe companies grew 333+% over the past three years, generating new annual revenue of €69 billion.
  • To make the top 500, a company had to have achieved a remarkable three-year growth of 962%.
  • Of the 38 countries included in this pan-European list, Spain, Italy and Sweden fielded the most companies.

This year's list also offers rare insight into which industries fared the best during a difficult stretch for Europe's economy. With an average growth rate of 665%, Software ranked as the fastest-growing industry, followed by Environmental Services, at 525%. Financial Services is the top industry by total revenue (€13.1 billion), and Construction featured the most honoree companies making the list.

 "The Inc. 5000EU recognizes companies that have made a major contribution to their economies by advancing the causes of entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.  All too often these essential companies work in obscurity because they are not publicly traded," says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. "They no longer have to. The Inc. 5000EU finally gives credit where it is due. Taken in its totality, the Inc. 5000 Europe reminds us that the U.S. does not have a monopoly on entrepreneurship. More than ever, ingenuity, creativity, and tenacity know no boundaries – certainly not geographic ones."

The entire listing of the 2017 Inc. 5000 Europe appears at inc.com and key highlights are featured in Inc.'s March issue, which is available in both tablet and magazine formats. 

The Inc. list made its debut in 1981 as a ranking of the 100 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The following year, it expanded to 500 companies and, in 2007, the Inc. 5000 was inaugurated. Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Clif Bar, Intuit, Chobani, Zipcar, Oracle, and many other well-known names gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500. Through each evolution, Inc. has sought to recognize and to celebrate the creativity, dedication, and hard work that entrepreneurs put into building their companies.

Complete results, including infographics and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at Inc.com/inc5000eu.

Methodology

The 2017 Inc. 5000 Europe is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2012 to 2015. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2012. They had to be European-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2015. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2012 is €200,000; the minimum for 2015 is €2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. The full Inc. 5000 Europe list can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000eu.   

About Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders.  Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 19,000,000 today.  For more information, visit http://www.inc.com/ .

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Now in its 36th year, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates their remarkable achievements. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, free-flowing networking, and evening functions.

For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit www.inc.com.

Media Contact: Drew Kerr, Inc. Media, 212-849-8250, drew@four-corners.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Inc. Magazine