A pioneering Welsh medical technology company has been recognised as one of the United Kingdom's most dynamic and rapidly expanding private tech enterprises. Reacta Healthcare, based in Deeside, has secured a prestigious spot on The Sunday Times 100 Tech list for 2026, standing as the sole Welsh representative in this year's ranking.
A Unique Global Position in Allergy Science
Under the leadership of chief executive Dr Paul Abrahams, Reacta Healthcare occupies a unique niche in the global life sciences sector. The firm is the world's only manufacturer of specific tests used in clinical trials by companies developing treatments for food allergies. Its patented diagnostic products are utilised by scientists across the UK, Europe, and North America to safely and accurately identify and monitor allergic reactions to common foods like peanuts, milk, and eggs.
Founded in 2013, the company's innovative work has attracted significant investment, including equity growth finance from the family office of noted venture capitalist Jon Moulton and the Development Bank of Wales.
Impressive Growth Metrics and National Context
The Sunday Times list ranks companies based on their revenue growth over a three-year period. Reacta's performance has been exceptional, achieving an annual growth rate of 117.05% in the three years leading to the end of 2024. This remarkable expansion resulted in revenues of £7.3 million and earned the company the 12th position on the list's hardware segment.
The list reveals the substantial collective impact of the UK's fastest-growing tech firms. The 100 featured companies generated combined sales of £3.7 billion, a staggering increase of £3 billion over three years. They are also major job creators, employing 23,100 people in total after adding 11,600 new roles in the same period. A significant majority, 81 firms, plan further hiring, anticipating around 4,300 additional jobs in the next year.
The Landscape of British Tech Innovation
The geographical spread of the list highlights a continued concentration of tech growth in London, which is home to 57 of the ranked businesses. The rest are distributed across the nations and regions, with Wales, like the West Midlands, having one company on the list. Other insights include the fact that nearly a fifth (16) of the businesses are founded or led by women, and most have received external investment, raising a combined total of £11.3 billion.
For Reacta, international trade is a cornerstone of its business model, with the company generating nearly all of its revenue from outside the UK. This export success story was highlighted by Jon Yeomans, Business Editor of The Sunday Times, who commented: "Despite a challenging economic backdrop, Britain’s tech sector continues to produce businesses of extraordinary ambition and momentum... These companies show that the UK remains one of the most dynamic technology ecosystems globally."
The accolade underscores Reacta Healthcare's vital role not only within the Welsh economy but also as a key player in the UK's thriving life sciences and technology export sector.
