Reading and Cambridge are similarly sized business centres with 23,304 and 21,091 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Business and domestic software development.
Reading has 23,304 active companies compared to 21,091 in Cambridge — 2,213 more.
Cambridge has a higher 2020s company formation rate (52.2%) compared to Reading (51.4%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Business and domestic software development, Buying and selling of own real estate, Information technology consultancy activities, Management consultancy activities other than financial management. Reading is uniquely strong in Other information technology service activities and Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet, while Cambridge stands out in Dormant Company and Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c..