Companies in Edinburgh

United Kingdom|37.7% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
56,473
Active

56,473 active companies are currently registered in Edinburgh, a major UK business hub. Out of 61,282 companies ever registered here, 113 are no longer active — a 92% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 37.7% of current companies established since 2020. A wave of registrations in the 2010s accounts for 50% of active companies, pointing to a decade of strong entrepreneurial activity. The most common industry sector is other, with 21,693 companies. The area hosts 1,072 large enterprises, 915 small firms. Edinburgh is home to 693 FCA-regulated firms and 330 registered charities. Companies here hold 745 government contracts worth £1.7B in total. The average company age is 9.8 years. The earliest company registration in Edinburgh dates back to 1871.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

56,473
Active Companies
61,282
Total Registered
1871
Oldest Company
37.7%
Growth (2020s)

One of the UK's largest business hubs, home to a wide range of industries and company sizes.

Incorporation by Decade
11%
46%
38%
Pre-1990: 1,055
1990s: 1,838
2000s: 6,782
2010s: 28,248
2020s: 23,359

Data Signals

Governance
133,2314 src
Financial
57,79510 src
Risk
29,81210 src
Compliance
25,53516 src
Trade
2,2472 src
quality
1,4904 src
ESG
1,3086 src
growth
8183 src
innovation
7082 src
corporate_structure
3551 src
operational
1241 src
regulatory
281 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Edinburgh is 9.8 years old. There are 693 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 330 registered charities operate locally.

9.8 yrs
Avg company age
693
FCA regulated
330
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 915 (45%)Medium: 25 (1%)Large: 1,072 (53%)

Government Investment

Companies in Edinburgh have been awarded 745 government contracts with a combined value of £1748.2M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Edinburgh?

There are 56,473 active companies registered in Edinburgh, out of 61,282 total. 113 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Edinburgh?

The top industries in Edinburgh include Other (21,693 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,870 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (1,565 companies).

How fast is Edinburgh growing as a business hub?

37.7% of currently active companies in Edinburgh were incorporated since 2020, indicating moderate recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Edinburgh?

Our database contains 253,451 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Edinburgh. The largest category is Governance with 133,231 signals from 4 sources.

When was the first company registered in Edinburgh?

The oldest company registration in Edinburgh dates back to 1871, spanning over 155 years of business history.

Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.