NatWest Group is launching a Fintech Growth Programme aimed at assisting startups in utilizing the resources, expertise, and networks of an established high-street bank to scale their businesses and enhance the bank’s innovation pipeline.
NatWest intends to select five fintech companies that provide technology addressing specific challenges in the payments sector. The chosen participants should be pre-Series A UK-based startups looking to advance their business concepts. Over a ten-week period, these startups will engage in workshops, mentoring, and coaching, collaborating with NatWest to develop systems that can be implemented by the bank.
David Grunwald, director of NatWest Innovation, stated, “This programme lays a pathway to create better outcomes for our customers. Working closely with fintechs and UK entrepreneurs enhances our ability to focus on the future while supporting the growth of the innovation economy.”
To execute the programme, NatWest is partnering with Aspire, a consultancy that specializes in creating curriculums and providing support to promote startup growth.
Mark Brant, chief payments officer at NatWest, noted that the initiative would enable fintechs to work in collaboration with NatWest’s Innovation team and senior decision-makers across the bank, all while benefiting from a tailored scale-up curriculum and the chance to build a valuable network.
“Innovation and collaboration are fundamental to growth, especially in a challenging commercial environment,” he remarked. “This programme champions NatWest’s innovation by partnering with fintechs to co-create solutions that will shape the future of banking.”