U.S. Business Applications Reach August Record

Nationwide business applications totaled 564,065 during the month, the strongest August on record, according to Registered Agents Inc.’s August 2026 New Business Formation Report.

The total increased 11% from 508,480 in August 2025 and was approximately 22% above the August 2024 level. Forty-four states and Washington, D.C., recorded year-over-year growth.

More than 4.7 million applications were filed during the first eight months of 2026. August activity declined 0.8% from July’s 568,810 applications, a modest seasonal pullback following several months of elevated filings.

The figures measure applications or formation filings rather than confirmed operating businesses. Not every application results in a company that begins operations, hires workers, or generates revenue.

“The most striking thing about 2026 isn’t just how many businesses are being created,” said Molly Cavanah, vice president of revenue growth and data at Registered Agents Inc. “It’s how consistently people are creating them.”

Delaware recorded its highest August total, rising 11.7% from a year earlier. The increase suggests its established corporate-law system and business infrastructure remain competitive despite “DExit” concerns about companies reincorporating elsewhere.

Georgia ranked fifth nationally in total filings and posted 15% year-over-year growth. Activity increased nearly 12% from July, producing the state’s strongest August since 2020.

Georgia generated 6.5% of the nationwide annual increase despite accounting for 4.1% of August 2025 filings.

Texas remained among the five largest formation markets, but filings fell 5% from July, its steepest decline for that monthly comparison. Texas activity was nevertheless almost 17% higher through August than during the corresponding 2025 period.