Armed with small digital cameras, they have documented the spectacular growth of the demonstrations from crowds of a few hundred to as many as 100,000.

Directors and employees have cooperated with prosecutors across the region, providing evidence of a pervasive 'kickback' scheme that helped the company's spectacular growth.

All 15 start-ups have had spectacular growth rates, with their average annual rates measured over two years ranging from 194% to 597% a year.

This has fuelled the spectacular growth in its international sales, which have rocketed 416% a year, from 1m in 2007 to 27.8m in 2009.

The market has experienced spectacular growth over the past decade.