Cambridge ranks 1st of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,442, the highest in the UK. Its companies score 442 points above the UK benchmark across Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. Innovation is its strongest pillar, ranked 1st nationally, while Scaling is its relatively weakest, though it still ranks 10th of 360 authorities.
Cambridge's composite score of 1,442 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each pillar score is an average across Cambridge's 9,625 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means the score reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not the total size of the local economy, which allows fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 on the benchmark, so Cambridge's composite of 1,442 places it 442 points clear of the national average. The likely range of 1,396 to 1,488 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow enough to rely on, the composite score is published.
East of England
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Cambridge's composite score of 1,442 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,713
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+713 points against the UK · Likely range 1,637–1,789 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sectors and IS-8 sectors. Cambridge ranks 1st of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 1,713, putting it 713 points above the UK benchmark and ahead of every other local authority in the country. Its companies outperform 99.7% of all authorities on this measure.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
1,095
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+95 points against the UK · Likely range 1,069–1,121 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and whether they have attended an accelerator. Cambridge ranks 10th of 360 authorities here, with a score of 1,095, placing it 95 points above the UK benchmark. This is its relatively weakest pillar, though it remains firmly in the top 5% nationally.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
1,585
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+585 points against the UK · Likely range 1,507–1,663 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. Cambridge ranks 2nd of 360 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 1,585, some 585 points above the UK benchmark. Its companies are among the most equity-active in the country.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,245
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+245 points against the UK · Likely range 1,209–1,281 · 10% of the composite
ESG captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Cambridge ranks 4th of 361 authorities, with a score of 1,245, which is 245 points above the UK benchmark. Its companies outperform 98.9% of all local authorities on this pillar.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Cambridgeshire
The chart below places Cambridge's composite score of 1,442 alongside its Cambridgeshire neighbours, where the county scores 1,149 and the closest rival, South Cambridgeshire, reaches 1,398.
What is Cambridge's score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Cambridge has a composite score of 1,442, the highest of any local authority in the UK. That puts it 442 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Cambridge rank nationally?
Cambridge ranks 1st of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index. It also ranks 1st within Cambridgeshire and 1st within the East of England region.
What drives Cambridge's high Local Growth Index score?
Innovation is Cambridge's strongest pillar, where it ranks 1st nationally with a score of 1,713, followed closely by Investment at 1,585 and ranked 2nd nationally. ESG and Scaling are also above the UK benchmark, ranked 4th and 10th respectively.
How does Cambridge compare to the rest of Cambridgeshire?
Cambridge scores 293 points above the Cambridgeshire county average of 1,149 and ranks 1st of the 6 authorities in the county. The next closest authority in the county is South Cambridgeshire, with a score of 1,398.
How many companies are counted in Cambridge's score?
The index covers 9,625 active companies in Cambridge, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Cambridge's score?
The likely range of 1,396 to 1,488 shows how much Cambridge's composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Because this range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
