NatWest Group, the largest bank for start-ups in Great Britain, is set to welcome up to 2,500 new businesses to its latest Accelerator programme this September.
This initiative, which represents the bank’s most ambitious intake to date, is set to nurture entrepreneurial talent and supporting high-growth potential businesses across the UK.
The NatWest Accelerator, available through NatWest, Royal Bank, and Ulster Bank brands, offers a robust framework of free coaching, networking, and growth support for participating start-ups.
Recently ranked as the third best start-up hub in Europe for networking by the Financial Times, the programme has already helped thousands of entrepreneurs build their brands, enter new markets, and secure investment.
“Our Accelerator programme is designed to provide ‘wraparound support’ that goes beyond traditional banking services,” said Darren Pirie, Head of the NatWest Accelerator.
“As Britain’s biggest bank for start-ups, we understand that helping businesses succeed through comprehensive support is crucial if we want a strong economy. In our accelerator hubs, we’ve seen numerous businesses secure investment, grow their teams, and expand into new markets.”
The programme features 13 physical accelerator hubs across the UK in cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Southampton, Warwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Belfast.
Additionally, a digital programme will ensure that remote entrepreneurs can also benefit from the Accelerator’s offerings. One of the key advantages for participants is that they do not have to give up equity in their businesses to take part.
Businesses accepted into the programme will receive personalized coaching from expert acceleration managers, access to a wide network of like-minded entrepreneurs, and a series of thought leadership events. This comprehensive support structure is designed to help start-ups achieve rapid and sustainable growth.
GoJoe, a social fitness app that enables workplaces and brands to connect and engage their people, is a notable success story from the NatWest Accelerator.
The company raised over £1 million in seed investment in 2022 and recently completed another funding round featuring investment from professional athletes.
“When we started with the NatWest Accelerator, we were little more than two guys and a PowerPoint,” said Phil Steele, Co-Founder of GoJoe.
“Thanks to the coaching, mentoring, and support we received, we’ve now completed two funding rounds, created a product loved by the world’s best companies, and assembled a team to help us achieve our ambition of changing the way the world exercises.
The programme really has ‘powered us up’ and been our sherpa and catalyst for growth. It’s a no-brainer for ambitious start-ups.”
NatWest Group’s Accelerator programme not only demonstrates the bank’s dedication to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem but also highlights the broader trend of increasing internal AI investments among UK businesses.
According to a recent survey by professional services firm EY, half of the UK CEOs surveyed are prioritizing AI technology investments, reflecting the growing emphasis on innovation and efficiency in the business landscape.