NatWest aims to make 2022 a record-breaking year for Welsh entrepreneurs

NatWest wants 2022 to be a record-breaking year for Welsh entrepreneurs.

And to help, the bank has diversified its Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme, so it has even more support and opportunities to help businesses scale and grow.

With four different tailored programmes now available NatWest wants to hear from Welsh entrepreneurs who have a passion for being purpose-led or the climate as well as fintechs and high-growth businesses.

Its Purpose-led Accelerator is aimed at entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to be a business and supporting a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Similarly, it’s Climate Accelerator is for businesses looking to take on the challenges faced by climate change and who are focused on sustainable success.

Its High Growth Accelerator is open to ambitious high growth businesses looking to grow and scale, while its Fintech Accelerator is designed to enable the future of financial tech businesses through access to expert sector professionals.

Applications for the programmes, which all empower businesses to scale to the next level, are now open with a total of 60 places available for January’s start date. Each programme is free and participants do not need to give up any equity in their businesses to take part or bank with NatWest initially.

Each of the programmes provide four pillars of support including: focused support with access to expertise from across each entrepreneur’s specialism including mentors, partners and experienced entrepreneurs; one-to-one coaching with NatWest’s experienced Acceleration Managers; a programme of thought leadership and events; access to a network of like-minded peers, supported by the bank’s Ecosystem Managers; and free use of NatWest’s modern co-working offices in Cardiff (subject to COVID rules).

Gemma Casey, NatWest Ecosystem Manager Wales, said: “The NatWest Accelerator supports and empowers entrepreneurs and business owners to scale their business to the next level. The bank provides wrap around support and access to expertise, removing barriers and providing more opportunities to help businesses grow.

“We focus on the key driver of any business – the entrepreneur – and that is what makes these programmes so unique. With the right level of support and challenge, we can help entrepreneurs to take their business much further and faster, which is what makes 2022 such an exciting year for Welsh entrepreneurs.”

Byron Rees is part of the current accelerator cohort and managing director of United Studios, a digital services agency based in West Wales. He said: “The programme is free, and it can open so many doors and opportunities for you as a business. It’s definitely something you should do if you’re looking to grow, learn, develop your mindset or you’re hitting that brick wall and you don’t know where to go next.

For more information email cardiffaccelerator@natwest.com or search online for NatWest Accelerator.