2018
The
Index
Scaleup
In 2017 we partnered with
Beauhurst to produce the
UK’s first ever Index of ‘visible’
scaleups. This year's Scaleup
Index continues our work to
improve the quality of data on
the scaleup community. The 2018
Index includes those scaleups
registered at Companies House
as well as, for the first time, those
on Companies House who are
also listed on AIM. This year, we
have additionally highlighted the
advisory community working with
visible scaleups. Once again, this
report filters for group/subsidiary
structures and charities which we
review separately.
Last year we reported on 3,856
visible scaleups - and this year
we are pleased to reveal that the
number has increased to 4,420
- an increase of 15%. On top of
that there are 245 scaleups who
are both registered at Companies
House and listed on AIM; they
have distinct characteristics
compared to their unlisted peers.
The Index has highlighted some
interesting features of our scaling
community, in particular:
• The number of visible scaleups
in the UK has increased
since last year, by more than
500 scaling businesses, an
especially encouraging trend.
• There was a record level of
investment in scaleups in 2017
of almost £2.75bn, with BGF
remaining the top investor by
number into visible scaleups
with 72 equity deals.
• New firms have become key
scaleup financiers: Crowdcube,
Eight Roads Ventures and
Livingbridge this year are new
entrants to the rankings of top
investors in visible scaleups
• Innovate UK has been a leading
supporter of scaleups, giving
345 grants totalling £74m to
visible scaleups throughout the
UK. This year it is also piloting
Innovation Loans
• Companies in the 10 to 15 year
age bracket were most likely to
be growing at the fastest yearly
rates of over 80%. While those
over 20 have higher turnover
from exporting.
• The majority of scaleups
are in non-tech sectors,
including professional services,
industrials and leisure &
entertainment.
• Visible scaleups are foun