Time is running out for North West technology firms to enter the prestigious Northern Tech Awards 2016.

The awards recognise the top 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the North and Insider is proud to be the media partner.

The closing date for entries is 19 February 2016 – click here for more information and details of how to enter the Northern Tech Awards.

In 2015, five of the first seven names in the top 50 fastest-growing companies were from the North West. They were: fashion retailer Missguided, run by Nitin Passi (pictured), with a staggering growth rate of 486 per cent; Cloud Technology Solutions (400 per cent); TyresOnTheDrive.com (347 per cent); TEP Events (Duuzra) (336 per cent); and Car Loan 4U (now Zuto) (260 per cent).

The judges for the 2016 event include: Alex Baldock, CEO of Shop Direct; Claire Braithwaite, head of Tech North; Annelies Van den Belt, CEO of Findmypast; David Rowan, editor, Wired; Sir Terry Leahy, private investor and former CEO of Tesco; Sherry Coutu, serial entrepreneur and chair of the Scale-Up Institute; Mark Sebba, former CEO of Net-a-Porter; Jane Haxby, partner of Squire Patton Boggs; and Richard Flint, CEO of Sky Betting and Gaming.

The awards are owned and run by GP Bullhound, the international technology investment banking group, and will be held on 23 March in the Rum Warehouse at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.

The event will be by invitation-only, open to CEOs, entrepreneurs and business leaders in the digital economy.

Hugh Campbell, managing partner at GP Bullhound, said: "As our Northern Tech Awards move into its third year, the region is on a roll with international investors taking note of the potential for growth in northern tech companies.

"If 2015 has been recognised as the year of the unicorn in technology, the Northern Tech Awards aims to identify this region's e-future billion-dollar tech companies.

"This is an opportunity to showcase the digital excellence that exists in the North of England and Scotland, providing an unrivalled platform for digital entrepreneurs to make inspirational local connections. Be part of it."

From the top 50 fastest-growing technology companies, the judges will select four companies worthy of special Judges' Awards. The award categories are: Top 50 Fastest Growing Technology Companies in the North; Fastest Growing Company of the Year (with revenues under £10m); Fastest Growing Larger Company of the Year (with revenues over £10m); Judges' Innovation Award; Judges' Award for International Success; Judges' Leadership Award; and Overall Judges' Award.

The top 50 companies will be ranked by revenue growth over the last three years. The ten winners of the Tech North 'Northern Stars' competition will also be recognised and celebrated as early-stage companies to watch.

The Northern Tech Awards 2016 is supported and sponsored by Barclays Bank, Shop Direct, Squire Patton Boggs, William Currie Group, Berenberg, Business Growth Fund, Enterprise Ventures, Frazer John Recruitment, Inflexion, Liverpool Vision, London Stock Exchange and Scottish Equity Partners.