Lancashire has experienced consistent growth in the number of scaleups operating in the county over the past decade, according to the latest figures from the Scaleup Institute.
The Scaleup Annual Review 2025, launched at University College London on Monday, used Office for National Statistics (ONS) data and business survey results to assess the UK’s scaleup landscape.
This year’s report was the Scaleup Institute’s tenth and analysed Lancashire’s scaleup growth against 10 years ago. It showed an average annual growth in scaleup density of 2.8, meaning the county has gained an average of 2.8 more scaleups per 100,000 population each year over the past decade.
The 61.8 scaleups per 100,000 in the latest report were also a significant increase on the 48.7 in last year’s scaleup report.
The 2025 report showed there were a total of 970 scaleups in Lancashire, businesses consistently growing over 20 per cent per years and a pipeline of 470 businesses in the scaleup pipeline, those growing 15 to 20 per cent per year. This compares with 755 scaleups and 380 pipeline businesses in the 2024 report.
Amin Vepari, business finance and scaleup lead, Lancashire County Council said: “The impact scaleups have on the UK’s overall economic performance is again clear to see in the latest Scaleup Annual Review.
“Despite accounting for 0.8 per cent of the business population, scaleups contribute £2.19 trillion to the UK economy, around 50 per cent of total economic output, up from £1.4trn in the previous year’s report.
“Scaleups also make a vital contribution to Lancashire’s economy and Lancashire County Council recognises this. Since Two Zero launched five years ago, we have supported 143 Lancashire scaleup businesses as well as providing guidance, advice and tips through our platforms.
“We’re celebrating Two Zero’s impact throughout this year as part of our Two Zero is 5 campaign and Lancashire County Council will continue to champion the growth of Lancashire’s scaleup economy to date and in the years ahead.”
The Scaleup Annual Review also assesses the key barriers to scaleup growth across the UK. The biggest challenge for UK respondents to the Scaleup Institute’s scaleup survey was access to UK and international markets, cited by 58 per cent of respondents.
Following this was talent and leadership development (55%) and access to bank and equity finance (42%).
To understand the business support available for Lancashire fast-growing businesses, visit Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.
