NatWest Accelerator Pitch competition
NatWest
Overview
NatWest's nationwide initiative celebrating 10 years of its Entrepreneur Accelerator, the NatWest Accelerator Pitch Competition distributes non-dilutive equity-free grant money across regional live pitch finals. The upcoming call targets high-growth potential startups across the UK ready to scale.
Total Round Prize Pot: £100,000 distributed among three winners at the live final:
1st Place: £70,000 grant.
2nd Place: £20,000 grant.
3rd Place: £10,000 grant.
Competition Format:
Stage 1: Submit a 60-second video pitch answering four core prompts.
Stage 2: Five shortlisted finalists deliver a 10-minute live pitch to judges and an audience at the NatWest Accelerator Hub in Wolverhampton on September 10, 2026.
Entity Type: Must be a UK-registered Limited Company.
Company Age & Revenue: Incorporated up to 5 years with annual revenue up to £1,000,000.
Founder Requirements: Applicant must be a UK resident aged 18+.
Community Membership: Must join/be a member of the NatWest Accelerator App Community (free to join; banking with NatWest is not required).
Geographic Flexibility: Your business does not need to be located in the West Midlands/Wolverhampton, but finalists must commit to attending the live final in person.
Previous Finalists: Previous finalists or winners from prior NatWest Accelerator Pitch rounds are ineligible.
Your video (maximum 60 MB file size) must succinctly address four main points:
Business Introduction: Short, punchy overview of your company.
Track Record / Achievements: Concrete metrics, milestones, and what sets you apart.
Use of Funds: How the grant money will be deployed to accelerate growth and by how much.
USP / Winning Argument: Why judges should pick your business over others.
