NatWest is opening its doors to London’s most ambitious entrepreneurs

NatWest, the high street bank behind the UK’s biggest network of entrepreneur accelerators, has issued a callout for businesses ambitious to expand.

The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator programme provides a small cohort of entrepreneurs, who have already demonstrated success in their field, the right level of support and challenge to grow their business further and faster.

Support offered to the successful applicants includes expert mentoring and advice, access to a network of like-minded peers, as well as the use of a dedicated co-working space in one of NatWest’s nationwide hubs. The London HQ is located near Liverpool St Station, the heart of London’s historic business centre and the perfect landing spot for entrepreneurs looking to grow and scale.

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Catherine van Weenan, Regional Managing Director of NatWest’s commercial mid-market division, said, “Entrepreneurship is essentially what continues to keep the business market exciting and innovative. We recognise the courage and determination it takes to start a new venture and we’re always on hand to support and help businesses realise their full potential. Every member of our Entrepreneur Accelerator Hub is given the best start possible with access to expert mentors, peer companionship and modern office space.”

Applications are currently open on the NatWest website and will close mid-February 2024.

One London entrepreneur who has completed the programme is Nicholas Betts, the sustainability minded wunderkind behind the luxury menswear brand ZERØ London. With the help of NatWest Accelerator, Nicholas has developed a unique digital approach to design that allows him to produce zero waste, high quality menswear.

ZERØ’s specially designed software uses CAD CAM technology to reduce material consumption during the design and manufacturing processes. According to ZERØ, the software reduces material expenditure by up to a quarter of a million pounds and can remove 180,000 kilos of carbon from large manufacturer supply chains.

Commenting on his experience with the NatWest accelerator, Nicholas said: “The support I’ve received from the Accelerator Hub has been incredible – from their round-the-clock advice to taking time to understand my business and our goals, they’ve been one of a kind.

“Being passionately opposed to waste in fashion, I have always believed that we can create beautifully crafted clothing without harming the environment and through innovative zero waste techniques, ZERØ London does just that. NatWest have been instrumental in making sure we’ve never lost site of what we’re about whilst in pursuit of growing the business and achieving our targets. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to scale their business and take it to the next step.”