There were a record number of new start up businesses in Dorset last year.
The figure hit 8,565, making Dorset one of the most successful counties in the UK.
It brought the total number of registered businesses to an all-time high of 63,266.
Bournemouth saw the highest number of new businesses at 2,399 while the figure for Poole was 1,458.
The statistics were compiled by Inform Direct using data from Companies House and the Office for National Statistics.
John Korchak, Managing Director at Inform Direct said: “It is excellent news that Dorset can celebrate a record year for new company formations during 2023.
“The year undoubtedly presented a range of challenges for business including tepid predictions of economic growth, volatility in energy prices and uncertainty from world events.
“However, the formation figures demonstrate very clearly that Dorset entrepreneurs remained undeterred and pursued their ambitions to establish new ventures.
“This positive picture is mirrored in the overall position for the UK which saw the highest ever number of new companies established during 2023.
“The total number of UK formations exceeded 900,000 for the very first time.”