New Startup Index 2024

Despite a decline in new incorporations, the total number of active companies reached a record high of 5.63m. In 2024, 846k businesses were registered, with London accounting for the highest number of incorporations at 286k.

Sectoral trends highlight growth in real estate, professional services, and technology. Incorporations in real estate-related activities saw the largest increases, while professional services and technology continued to expand.

The report also explores gender representation in new businesses. Companies with all-female directors comprised 20.9% of incorporations, with mixed-gender boards increasing slightly to 11.3%.

Explore the report for insights into incorporation trends, sector activity, and regional developments shaping the UK’s business landscape.

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Inside the report

New Startup Index 2024 — summary of active companies

New Startup Index 2024 — annual incorporations

About the authors

Henry Whorwood
Managing Director
Henry leads our Beauhurst Insights team, and is an expert on equity finance and high-growth business. He's worked on briefs for the likes of Barclays, SyndicateRoom, Innovate UK, Smith & Williamson and British Business Bank. He regularly gives presentations on market trends at events around the UK.
Callum Newton
Public Sector Lead
Callum is the Public Sector Lead for Beauhurst Insights, responsible for leading on the team's public sector work. Before joining Beauhurst, Callum was a Senior Researcher at Westminster-based think-tank Onward focusing on 'Levelling Up' policy. He was also a Consultant in Portland Communication's specialist Litigation & Disputes practice.
Hannah Nicholls
Senior Designer
Hannah produces graphic design and data visualisation for the Beauhurst Insights team, and has accumulated over 11 years of experience within the design industry. In the last 4+ years, she has specialised in data visualisation and report design, focusing on creating bespoke reports for strategy and thought leadership.
Bila Turay
Research Manager
Bila handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as project management. Before joining Beauhurst, Bila worked at an R&D Tax consultancy. She graduated from the University of Warwick with a Master of Chemistry (MChem).
Miraj Mistry
Senior Research Manager
Miraj handles project management and data analysis for Beauhurst Insights. His previous role was with an economic consultancy who specialise in providing socio-economic research and analysis to support infrastructure and transport projects. He holds an MSc in economics from the University of Bristol and a BSc from the University of Leeds.
Advone Katsande
Graduate Associate
Advone writes copy, and performs data analysis and visualisation. She has written on the nature of Venture Capital Trusts, and worked on projects for Rawnet and Deloitte. She read Law at the University of East Anglia, where she acquired her undergraduate LLB.
Blanca Valencia
Graduate Associate
Blanca handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as copywriting. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Blanca graduated from Queen Mary University of London, where she was awarded a BSc in Computer Science with Management (ITMB).
Harry Walker
Graduate Associate
Harry conducts data analysis and visualisation. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Harry graduated from Loughborough University, where he was awarded a BSc in Economics, having also completed a Placement Year working in Risk Analysis at the Bank of England.
Justin Tsui
Associate
Justin handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as copywriting. Before joining, Justin graduated from Imperial College London, where he was awarded a MSc in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology. He has also previously worked in consulting and academia.
Evangeline Luckhurst
Designer
Evangeline produces graphic design and data visualisation in the Beauhurst Insights team. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Evangeline graduated from University for the Creative Arts, where she was awarded a BA (Hons) in Illustration and Animation.