Darren Pirie, Head of the NatWest Accelerator, explained that the goal was to shift from a rigid, six-month programme to a more flexible, always-on model: “We wanted to democratise the accelerator offering. Now, anyone with the desire and intent to grow their business can sign up at any time – there’s no longer an application process.

A digital-first strategy

At the heart of the revamp is a digital-first strategy, designed to bring together founders into a single, connected community. The new approach includes a dedicated app that allows entrepreneurs to access mentoring, coaching, and educational content, as well as participate in in-person events held across the UK.

“We’ve created a front door where all the accelerator components present themselves,” Pirie noted. “The aim is to recreate that same sense of belonging, and ambition found in our physical hubs – whether you're in Manchester, Belfast, or London, the app helps you connect, solve problems, and unlock new opportunities. And our Accelerator hubs are always there to provide in-person support when entrepreneurs need it.”

The refreshed programme refocuses its core curriculum on two key areas: sales and funding. NatWest is now placing greater emphasis on helping businesses commercialise their offerings, access supply chains, and explore international markets. At the same time, it aims to support founders in securing funding to scale.

According to Pirie, this shift is about ensuring support is relevant “in the moments that count”. Rather than prescribing a fixed experience, the accelerator now works with businesses to tailor their journey, aligning resources and support based on each founder’s goals – whether they’re running a local real estate agency or building a high-growth tech startup.

Tools and support available

The programme is driven by several interlinked teams, each playing a specific role in fostering the community and delivering content, mentorship, and opportunities.

On the ground, the NatWest team is responsible for the day-to-day experience in regional hubs, ensuring they remain active and welcoming environments for entrepreneurs. This includes everything from designing and running events, to one-to-one coaching, onboarding sessions, and peer group workshops.

Community building is at the core of the initiative, both digitally and offline. “Our team is focused on connecting networks, bringing in insight, and working with local and national partners to layer content and opportunity across everything we do,” said Pirie. This includes working with partners to co-create content and deliver regionally relevant support in collaboration with local ecosystems.

The digital side of the accelerator mirrors this activity. A dedicated team manages the app-based community, fostering engagement through events, coaching, and daily peer interaction. Entrepreneurs can access masterclasses, tutorials, networking sessions, pitch clubs, and group coaching opportunities, all facilitated through the platform. Events are run multiple times a week and are designed to meet founders at their point of need – whether they are refining their sales strategy or preparing for investment.

Complementing this is NatWest’s effort to bring in wider expertise from across its organisation. “We’re looking at how we can bring in knowledge from across the bank – from HR, legal, and marketing – so founders can access professional insight that matches their growth stage,” Pirie explained.

The bank has also launched specialised programme strands, such as the Sales Accelerator – an end-to-end experience designed to support growth-stage businesses through a structured series of workshops and interventions. Similar programmes around funding are also in place, with both being rolled out nationally and cycled throughout the year.

A growing number of brand partnerships are set to expand the offering further over the summer. These will introduce new benefits and tailored content, enriching the experience for founders and strengthening NatWest’s ability to connect entrepreneurs to high[1]value networks and resources.

Alongside the formal sessions, the programme offers a suite of lighter-touch community events. Socials are held regularly, bringing participants together over coffee and cake, or in the evening over drinks. These informal gatherings are open to anyone involved in the community and often feature impromptu pitches or updates from founders. The aim is to create a low-pressure, inclusive atmosphere that encourages connection and collaboration

10 years of success

As part of celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its first accelerator launch, NatWest introduced a national pitch competition earlier this year. The initiative aims to spotlight ambitious businesses with compelling stories and refined pitches.

The competition attracted a significant number of applicants, each assessed against a robust set of criteria. Finalists go on to compete at a live pitching event in Manchester at the end of July, where a judging panel will award cash prizes – up to £70,000 for the overall winner.

“That kind of capital can be transformational for an early-stage business,” Pirie said. “It’s a phenomenal opportunity.”

The July event is not a one-off. NatWest plan to run a similar competition in London in November, with further rounds expected in 2026. In total, up to £1 million in cash prizes will be distributed through this programme over the coming year.

Importantly, the competition feeds directly back into the accelerator’s core mission: “It’s about visibility, but also about community,” Pirie noted. “Pitching is fundamental to what we do in the accelerator. It’s a skill that needs practice, support, and the right audience – and we’re building the ecosystem that helps make that happen.”

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe