NatWest has today announced a major expansion of its support for UK entrepreneurs, aiming to grow the Accelerator community to 50,000 members – a five-fold increase on the 10,000 ambition set for 2025.
This step-up‑ follows a strong 2025, when the bank exceeded its ambition by growing the community to c12,000, beating in a single year the total number it had supported over the previous ten years in total and underlining the acceleration of the scale and impact.
The announcement forms part of the bank’s new five point Growing Together plan, setting out how the bank will help build the conditions for UK-wide growth: backing powerful regions, championing mid-market companies, strengthening the country’s infrastructure and housing foundations, boosting financial confidence amongst families and young people, and supporting the innovators shaping the future economy.
By expanding its entrepreneur support, NatWest is helping to strengthen the Accelerator community which is built around peer networks, local cohorts and access to experts, mentors and investors — all designed to help early stage and high growth businesses launch, scale and thrive.
Data released by the bank demonstrates that businesses who go through its Accelerator programme grew their turnover by 104 per cent year on year, against an average of 20 per cent in a control group2. In addition, nine out of 10 businesses who complete the bank’s Accelerator programme are still trading three years afterwards, against a control group of four out of 101.
Robert Begbie, CEO, Commercial & Institutional Banking, NatWest Group comments: “We know that to build the economy of the future we need to back the innovators who will power it. Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind innovation, job creation and long-term economic growth across the UK. By raising our ambition for 2026, and building on the momentum we achieved in 2025, we’re reinforcing our commitment to back founders at every stage – from idea to scaleup – and help them turn ambition into sustainable success.”
Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation, comments: “No other bank is doing more for UK small businesses than NatWest. At Enterprise Nation, we have the privilege to spend time with the people at NatWest making Accelerator such a success – we see how much they care, and we believe in the difference they can make. The commitment to support 50,000 entrepreneurs in 2026 is remarkable but such is the strength of the ambition.
“Day in, day out, we see the challenges small businesses face – so we welcome the unerring support offered to them by NatWest, providing both much-needed practical advice and spaces to connect with other founders. I have no doubt that 2026 will be a banner year for the Accelerator but I am even more certain that it’s just the start…”
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce comments: “Starting a business is challenging, but ultimately hugely rewarding. The British Chambers of Commerce warmly welcome NatWest’s commitment to support 50,000 entrepreneurs in 2026.
“Expanding the Accelerator programme will give more founders access to the practical advice and peer networks they need to grow with confidence. With help from organisations like NatWest and the Chamber network – the businesses of tomorrow can step forward with ambition and confidence.”