11,494 active companies are based in Exeter according to Companies House records. Out of 12,967 companies ever registered here, 14 are no longer active — a 89% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 50.1% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (54%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is other letting and operating of own or leased real estate, with 1,029 companies. The area hosts 120 large enterprises, 176 small firms. Exeter is home to 242 FCA-regulated firms and 160 registered charities. Companies here hold 507 government contracts worth £901.2M in total. The average company age is 9.6 years. The earliest company registration in Exeter dates back to 1893.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, August 2026
Exeter is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.
The average active company in Exeter is 9.6 years old. There are 242 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 160 registered charities operate locally.
Companies in Exeter have been awarded 507 government contracts with a combined value of £901.2M. See the Top Government Contractors report.
There are 11,494 active companies registered in Exeter, out of 12,967 total. 14 (0%) are no longer active.
The top industries in Exeter include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,029 companies), Residents property management (389 companies), Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. (388 companies).
50.1% of currently active companies in Exeter were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.
Our database contains 81,907 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Exeter. The largest category is Governance with 36,541 signals from 5 sources.
The oldest company registration in Exeter dates back to 1893, spanning over 133 years of business history.