NatWest teams up with University to help aspiring entrepreneurs

Banking giant NatWest has teamed up with the University of Wolverhampton to help aspiring entrepreneurs.

This month, the bank’s flagship Pre-Accelerator programme – which helps people get their business ideas off the ground – will launch for the first time in Wolverhampton.

Pam Sheemar, NatWest’s Entrepreneur Development Manager, said: “Pre-Accelerator is a great tool for anyone who is keen to kick start their entrepreneurial journey. The online modules will get you thinking about your customer first and testing your idea with your target audience. The fantastic community that you meet during Ignition means you’re not on your own.

“You’ll have access to like-minded and driven entrepreneurs as well as a wide range of support from the University, NatWest, and other local organisations providing expertise to businesses. The modules have been designed and built based on the work carried out in the NatWest Accelerators with thousands of high growth businesses, so you can work through them with confidence, and build your business in the right way.”

Mike Taylor, Enterprise Project Manager of the SPEED Project at the University, said: “The NatWest Pre-Accelerator programme is recognised as one of the most successful accelerator formats in the UK. We’ve partnered with NatWest to bring this programme to the Wolverhampton business community to catalyse the progress the city has made in supporting and facilitating start-up growth. Businesses who join this programme will benefit from the wealth of experience of NatWest, the start-up community and the expertise of the University of Wolverhampton.”

NatWest runs accelerator programmes all over the UK to help small businesses go further. The programmes are fully funded, enabling you to grow without taking any equity from your business. And you do not need to be a NatWest customer.

Entrepreneurs get access to mentoring and coaching to grow their business and develop – fast.

The best and brightest businesses which have emerged from its cohorts across the country are featured in its inaugural #PowerUp index, which features the top 100 businesses to have been part of the programme. 

How does the programme work?

The  Pre-Accelerator is a combination of online learning resources featuring webinars and digital workshops and real world events based at the University of Wolverhampton:

How do I join?

Interested in signing up? Visit the link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/natwest-accelerator-workshop-tickets-83951377831?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

This workshop will run as part of the University's Career Development Week 2020. The SPEED Project will also be running a 'Personal Effectiveness and Communication Skills' workshop during the Week too from 10am - 4.30pm on Tuesday 18 February 2020.