FT ranking: Asia-Pacific High-Growth Companies 2022

Originally Posted: Financial Times

This fourth annual FT ranking of 500 of the Asia-Pacific region’s high-growth companies — compiled in partnership with research provider Statista — is the most competitive to date.

In order to be listed in the top 100, a company now needs to show almost 100 percent revenue growth in its financial statements every year, for three years.

The list ranks entrants from across the region by their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in revenue between 2017 and 2020 (China has been omitted due to difficulties in verifying data).

The top three companies are a Philippines e-commerce enabler for both regional and big multinational brands; a South Korean health tech group producing diagnostic medical devices focused on virus immunity; and an app maker, also from South Korea, specializing in the provision of live sports commentary in real-time, via text and audio.

Other notable companies in the ranking include a developer of computer-generated holographic control systems, a toy subscription service, a creative platform for cartoons, a provider of student information systems, and a cloud storage business.

Japan has the most entries in this year’s list, with 168 companies, followed by India with 97. Singapore comes in third with 61, edging past Australia, which has 60.

The cities with the most growth champions listed are Tokyo, which has 97, and Seoul, with 42.

We will take a closer look at the companies featured in the list in a special report, to be published on April 7.

Like last year, technology is the sector with the biggest presence in the ranking, with 27 percent of companies falling into this category. Also well represented are fintech, property, advertising, support services and eCommerce.

A ranking such as this can never claim to be complete, however, as many fast-growing companies are privately held and detailed financial information is not made public. Also, some companies in the region did not want to reveal their revenue figures, or chose not to take part for other reasons.