BUSINESSES are being offered more support in a bid to make 2022 a record-breaking year for entrepreneurs in the South West.

NatWest has diversified its Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme to offer four different tailored packages of support for growth.

They are:

A Purpose-Led Accelerator, aimed at entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to be a business and supporting a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

A Climate Accelerator for enterprises which are looking to take on the challenges of climate change and are focused on sustainable success.

A High Growth Accelerator for ambitious high-growth businesses.

A Fintech Accelerator offering financial technology companies access to experts in the sector.

Charly Patrick, NatWest entrepreneur development manager for the South West, said: “The NatWest Accelerator supports and empowers entrepreneurs and business owners to scale their business to the next level. The bank provides wrap around support and access to expertise, removing barriers and providing more opportunities to help businesses grow.

“We focus on the key driver of any business – the entrepreneur – and that is what makes these programmes so unique.

“With the right level of support and challenge, we can help entrepreneurs to take their business much further and faster, which is what makes 2022 such an exciting year for South West entrepreneurs.”

Each programme offers access to experts from the entrepreneurs’ specialism; one-to-one coaching with NatWest acceleration managers; a programme of thought leadership and events; access to a network of peers, supported by the bank’s ecosystem managers; and free use of NatWest’s co-working offices in Bristol, subject to Covid rules.

Steve Sliney is one of the accelerator alumni and managing director of Collecteco, a Bristol-based business which helps companies donate furniture and equipment to charities, schools, community groups, NHS trusts and other not for profit good causes.

He said: “The programme is free and really helped us scale-up and focus on our niche. The team behind it have always been an immense support and that really helps you focus on your business, as does the community you become a part of with the other entrepreneurs.”

For more information search online for NatWest Accelerator.