Empowering UK start-ups through our Accelerator programme
As the biggest bank for start-ups in Great Britain, we’re backing entrepreneurs more than ever before through our Accelerator programme. This September, we’re welcoming up to 2,500 new businesses to the programme.
Our free Accelerator programme – offered through our Royal Bank, NatWest and Ulster Bank brands – supports entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses. Recently ranked as the third best start-up hub in Europe for networking, we have supported thousands of entrepreneurs to build their brands, venture into new markets and seek investment.
Businesses with high growth potential benefit from a range of support through our accelerator hubs. This includes coaching with expert acceleration managers, access to a wide network of like-minded peers, and a programme of thought leadership and events. The programme is free for participating businesses and entrepreneurs do not need to give up any equity in their business to take part.
For Darren Pirie, head of our Accelerator programme, offering “wraparound support” is crucial to supporting businesses.
“As Britain’s biggest bank for start-ups, we understand that helping businesses succeed, not just through traditional lending but with full wraparound support, is crucial if we want a strong economy. And that’s exactly what we do – in our accelerator hubs, we’ve seen a whole host of businesses secure investment, grow their teams and move into other markets.”
Accelerating GoJoe’s growth
Former accelerator ‘alumni’ include GoJoe, a social fitness app which enables workplaces and brands to connect and engage their people. The company raised over £1m in seed investment in 2022 and has just completed their latest round.
Phil Steele is the co-founder of GoJoe and shared his experience of the programme.
“When we started with the NatWest Accelerator we were little more than two guys and a PowerPoint.
“Thanks to the coaching, mentoring and support that we’ve received through the accelerator we have now completed two funding rounds which included professional athlete investment, created a product which is loved by the world’s best companies and assembled a team who will help us achieve our ambition of changing the way the world exercises.
“Quite simply, the programme really has ‘powered us up’, been our sherpa and catalyst for growth. A no brainer for ambitious start-ups.”
