NatWest Group

Helping entrepreneurs succeed = a stronger UK economy We’ve signed entrepreneurial partnerships with four brilliant universities: Oxford, Manchester, Brighton and York. The Universities of Manchester, Brighton and York have signed partnerships with NatWest to provide targeted support for startups, growth business, students, staff and alumni. We’re also partnering with Equinox, a major new economic growth partnership spearheaded by the University of Oxford. These partnerships are all about supercharging early-stage businesses, student entrepreneurs, and university spinouts. Through the partnerships with York and Brighton, we’ll also create on-site Accelerator hubs, adding to our 12-strong network across the UK. Our Accelerators are vital drivers of the UK's startup ecosystems - helping founders to scale their businesses. Our data shows that businesses who go through the NatWest Accelerator grow their turnover by up to 104% vs comparable peers. Check out the map below to see where our Accelerator hubs are based and where we’re launching new university partnerships. The University of Manchester | University of Oxford | University of York | University of Brighton #UKStartUps #Entrepreneurs #NatWest

We’re fuelling the UK’s next generation of entrepreneurs. We’ve signed entrepreneurial partnerships with four brilliant universities: Oxford, Manchester, Brighton and York. The Universities of Manchester, Brighton and York have signed partnerships with NatWest to provide targeted support for early-stage businesses, student entrepreneurs and University spinouts. In addition, we’re also a partner of Equinox, a major new economic growth partnership spearheaded by the University of Oxford. Through the partnerships with York and Brighton, we’ll also create on-site Accelerator hubs, adding to our 12-strong network across the UK. We’re excited to bring the NatWest Accelerator programme to these universities, to help startups succeed and help build a stronger economy across the UK for all. Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise, Partnerships and Engagement at the University of York, said: “York & North Yorkshire is a region powered by brilliant ideas and entrepreneurial talent, and this accelerator is a decisive step in strengthening the support that drives our economy. We’re bringing students, staff, regional founders, and scale-ups into a connected ecosystem that gives entrepreneurs the space to test bold ideas, while enabling our world-class academics to advance their commercial potential. Dr Olga Kozlova, Director of Innovation and Engagement at the University of Oxford, said: “The NatWest Regional Accelerator is great news for our region and is a major success for Equinox, launched this month to champion equitable innovation and responsible economic growth. Equinox brings together universities, local leaders, government, businesses, investors, and communities. The Accelerator is a key step forward in the Equinox journey and will help local entrepreneurs connect with expert networks, access funding and scale their businesses. We look forward to collaborating with NatWest and supporting the accelerator through our entrepreneurship hub, EnSpire.” Dr Louise Bates, Director of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange The University of Manchester, said: “This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, working together with NatWest to support students, businesses, and communities across the region to prosper through innovation.” Professor Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: “By combining NatWest’s expertise in SME growth with our own track record of business education and support for local enterprises, we’re creating a vibrant space for innovation and entrepreneurship. This hub will not only help local businesses thrive but also provide our students with invaluable opportunities to engage with industry, develop entrepreneurial skills, and contribute to the economic success of our city and the wider region.”

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