UK businesses continued to expand in the second quarter, reaching 5.46 million registered companies, up slightly from 5.45 million in Q1. New business formations totalled 211,000, marking a minor decline from the previous quarter. Data from Barclays Eagle Labs and Beauhurst indicate that equity investment and university spinouts are key contributors to this stability.
Spinouts remain concentrated in regions with strong research institutions and investment networks. London and the South East host the largest clusters, with 686 active ventures. Over the past five years, the spinout sector has grown almost 8 per cent nationally. The South West recorded the fastest expansion at more than 20 per cent, while the East of England saw growth above 17 per cent.
Scotland is also establishing itself as a prominent hub, with 248 active spinouts. Major universities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde, focus on sectors such as artificial intelligence, photonics and energy systems, contributing to the region’s entrepreneurial activity.
These figures underline the strategic role of university-backed ventures in regional economic growth and highlight how innovation-driven businesses are supporting the wider UK corporate landscape despite economic uncertainty.
