Scale-up businesses from across the South West are being encouraged to join an accelerator hub in Bristol city centre. The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator on Avon Street supports entrepreneurs to grow their businesses through networking, events, coaching and specialist support.
The programme is free and participants do not need to give up any equity in their businesses to take part - or bank with NatWest. The scheme includes:
- one-to-one coaching with NatWest’s acceleration managers;
- a programme of thought leadership and events;
- access to a network of like-minded peers, supported by NatWest’s ecosystem managers;
- focused support with access to experts from across industry specialisms;
- free use of NatWest modern co-working spaces including at the Bristol hub.
The accelerator is for businesses looking to build their team, venture into new markets or seeking further investment.
Guy Thurlow, co-founder of student advertising firm Target Student, is a current accelerator member. He said he had gained "much value" from the "amazing community" of business owners.
"The programme is the perfect opportunity for founders looking to grow their business," he said. "I have gained the ability to solve problems effectively using peer-to-peer feedback to gather new perspectives and those peers have also ensured that I am held accountable on all goals that have been set.
"We have also had access to a business coach, Andy, who has guided us every step of the way as our business has scaled and we have faced new challenges, without him we certainly wouldn't be where we are today.”
Andrew Jackson, enterprise accelerator manager at NatWest’s Bristol’s Accelerator, added: “This is a truly unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. Entrepreneurs and business leaders join a community of like-minded individuals who come together with the intent to learn and grow."
Applications for the accelerator are open until February 17.
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