That’s why a core tenet of our Distribution Done Differently approach is enablement. Our enablement extends beyond go-to-market support and sales training and also includes helping you grow your business and gain the recognition you deserve. From insights and playbooks to marketing guides and bid support, we’re here to sit on your side of the table and help you win.
Now in its 18th year and previously known as the CRN Fast50, this year’s program introduces a new name, format, and award structure to better reflect the evolving IT channel.
In this post, we’ll provide tips on award entry as a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on your achievements and gain industry-wide recognition.
The Fast50 celebrates the fastest-growing IT companies in Australia, recognising revenue growth and, for the first time this year, profitability.
Being named on this list boosts your visibility, strengthens your reputation, and helps you stand out to vendors, customers, and talent.
It’s also an excellent way to benchmark your performance and see how you stack up against the broader channel.
Startups and seasoned providers are welcome to enter, and we’re here to help you make the most of it.
This year’s awards introduce five revenue-based categories to level the playing field:
Each category will name ten winners, and special categories include:
The Fast50 entry form is extensive as it asks for precise financial data, detailed service breakdowns, and clear articulation of your company’s growth story.
Here’s how you can stand out and make your submission count:
The form requires revenue figures for this financial year (2024-2025) and you’ll also need a signed Director’s Declaration and a statement from a certified external accountant or auditor, or ASIC/ASX filings.
These documents take time to prepare and verify. Give yourself plenty of runway to compile this information to avoid last minute time-crunch.
This is the heart of your entry, so aim for a compelling, easy-to-follow summary that showcases customer wins and major projects, strategic partnerships and vendor growth, talent investments or leadership moves, and new offerings, acquisitions, or service pivots. A tip here is to lead with the biggest, most impressive achievements, rather than a chronological summary. In other words ‘don’t bury the lead.’
Avoid jargon or vague claims (e.g. “We deliver best-in-class service”). These types of statements don’t help judges understand what you actually did or why it mattered. Instead, use concrete facts, figures, and outcomes to show your value.
For example, rather than saying, “We helped a customer improve operations,” say, “We implemented a cloud-based ERP solution that reduced our customer’s processing time by 35% and cut costs by $120K annually.” Every sentence should either inform or impress. If it doesn’t add something new or measurable, cut it or rephrase it. This helps your entry stay sharp, focused, and easy for judges to digest.
Reinforce achievements with measurable impact.
If you’re submitting for the optional Profitability Award, make sure your EBITDA data is accurate and ready for review (though it won’t be published).
Here are examples of using numbers to tell your story:
You’ll be asked to describe how vendors and distributors supported your growth. Be specific and talk about how these partnerships helped you deliver better outcomes for your customers. These partnerships show how you leveraged shared expertise, tapped into new capabilities, or scaled faster through support that went beyond transactional supply.
Highlight any co-sell efforts, marketing programs, or technical support that made a real difference, especially if it helped you close key deals or enter new markets.
Don’t fill out the form solo. Your entry should draw from different perspectives, so involve your finance team for revenue splits and verticals, sales and marketing for customer wins and positioning, and your leadership team for strategy and endorsements. Have someone else review your draft for clarity, tone, and accuracy. A fresh set of eyes can catch what you might have missed or offer new perspectives.
With everyone juggling packed schedules, set up an initial call to align the key stakeholders, then assign point persons for each section or data point. Create a simple table or timeline with clear deadlines, owners, and progress check-ins. Don’t forget to send reminder emails and follow-ups to keep things moving and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
If appropriate, include quotes from leaders, team members, or customers. It adds credibility to your entry.
Start gathering these quotes early. People get busy, and tracking down the right person for the right quote can take longer than expected. A few well-placed lines from your CEO, a project lead, or even a happy client can add depth and authenticity to your story.
Make sure the story flows logically and avoids repetition and check that numbers are consistent across sections. Make it easy for the judges to see your growth and why you deserve to be in the Fast50.
Need help finding your key data or crafting a standout entry? We’re happy to support. Just reach out and we can review your submission and help position your achievements effectively.
All entrants will be invited to the Fast50 Gala & Growth Conference on 19 November 2025 at W Sydney, where the top 10 companies in each revenue category will be revealed.
The event also features keynotes from growth leaders and networking with peers, vendors, and channel influencers.
We encourage partners to take this opportunity. And as always, we’re here to help you make your mark.
Find out more here: https://www.techpartner.news/fast50
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