NatWest launch ‘Entrepreneurial Spark’ in South West

Entrepreneurs from across the South West are being invited to apply for a place on a free accelerator programme offering support, mentoring, networking and office accommodation.

Entrepreneurial Spark powered by NatWest, the world’s largest free entrepreneurial accelerator, will open a hub – or ‘hatchery’ – for start-up businesses in Bristol this summer, and applications are now open.

The new hub will be located in the NatWest building at Trinity Quay and will accommodate up to 80 businesses.

Successful entrepreneurs will be able to access the programme for up to six months, with potential to continue for another 12 for the most promising.

Access to the Bristol hatchery will include physical office space with superfast internet, a start-up bootcamp, dedicated mentoring, regular events, workshops and training, all free of charge.

Regular competitions within the hatchery will see prizes of up to £50,000 in investment up for grabs, and a programme of events will include days to bring the whole entrepreneurial eco-system of investors, entrepreneurs, advisors and NatWest relationship managers together.

Entrepreneurial Spark powered by NatWest opened its first hub in Birmingham earlier this year and is setting up a further seven hubs across the UK.

The multi million pound partnership allows Entrepreneurial Spark and RBS and NatWest to offer free regional support to thousands of budding entrepreneurs.

Applications are welcomed from any sector, from idea and early-stage businesses to those who have been trading for up to four years and have a turnover of £1 million or less.

Haydn Thomas, NatWest’s managing director of business banking for South West and Wales, comments: “This is a superb opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and those who have just started on their journey in Bristol and the South West to access some first-class support.

“The successful applicants will get to work in a collaborative atmosphere in our offices in Trinity Quay and will have plenty of access to the local team from NatWest as well as our wider networks.

“We hope to receive lots of exciting applications from across the city and across the South West.

“The local economy is experiencing solid growth and this is reflected in the increasing confidence we are seeing among our business customers.

“These are the ideal conditions in which to launch this new hatchery and I’m confident we’ll see some great South West success stories emerge from it.”

For more information on the Bristol hatchery and details of how to apply visit www.entrepreneurial-spark.com