Applications are now open for April’s intake at the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator in Cardiff.
Entrepreneurs from across Wales are being encouraged to take part in the programme, which helps them scale and grow their businesses. Fully funded by NatWest, participants do not have to bank with them to take part in the programme or give-up any equity in their business.
The six month programme is open to entrepreneurs of any age and at any stage of their business, including larger companies with higher turnovers. It provides successful applicants with coaching and support and office facilities at its One Central Square headquarters.
The accelerator takes in two cohorts of 80 entrepreneurs each year – one in April and one in October.
Andrew Jones, entrepreneur acceleration manager in Cardiff, said:
“We’re really excited to announce the opening of the application process for our April intake.
“The accelerator has helped hundreds of businesses achieve national and international success and we’re really keen on helping more businesses achieve their goals.
“Crucially, the businesses we support succeed with over 80 per cent still operating after two-years. Our only goal is to help entrepreneurs wherever they are in Wales to succeed.”
Since the Cardiff accelerator launched in 2016, over 600 businesses – from Fintech firms to fashion brands – have been through the programme creating a significant number of jobs and raising millions of pounds in investment and funding through the scheme. They include Cardiff-based CRM specialists Datalyse, who since joining the programme in April 2018 have increased their turnover to £1.2m.
Company founder Mark Castro said:
“NatWest’s Accelerator programme has allowed us to evolve the business to where we are today. Previously, we had limited our perspective of the business and what we could achieve. Through the mentoring of the programme we have quickly grown to become an all-in-one software solution for businesses across multiple sectors.
“The accelerator has been the catalyst for that success providing a creative and technical environment that has allowed us to think-up solutions we otherwise wouldn't have entertained in our strategy thinking. As a result, we have grown from a team of two to six employees with plans to increase this to 15 and achieved six figure investment.”
Entrepreneurs can progress through the Accelerator programme up to a maximum of three times, making 18 months in total. The closing date for applicants is March 7. To apply visit https://www.business.natwest.com/business/business-banking/services/entrepreneur-accelerator.html.
