The UK has a thriving software industry with start-ups, niche
suppliers and global players all producing software for UK and
international users, says analystTechMarketView
.
Richard Holway, chairman at TechMarketView, said, "A combination
of organic and inorganic growth has resulted in the top 50 UK
headquartered software companies growing 20% in the last year." He
said the UK industry also earns 70% of its revenues abroad.
While the UK does offer a number of global software firms,
namely Autonomy, Misys and Sage, the majority of software companies
provide for vertical sectors in the UK.
The UK is also good for software start-ups according to Anthony
Miller, managing partner, TechMarketView. He said the BBC's
Dragon's Den has encouraged people to become entrepreneurs. "It
shows the man and woman on the street how to get a hearing from
venture capital firms." Winning funding is relatively
straightforward, but Miller sees the biggest challenge for new
software firms is gaining management expertise and access to
markets.
Top 10 UK-headquartered software companies
• Sage
• Misys
• Autonomy
• Fidessa
• Kofax
• Aveva
• SDL
• Micro Focus
• Intec Telecom
• Civica