NatWest ramps up Scotland startup push: RBS Accelerator targets 5,000 entrepreneurs, adds £1m EDGE deal
Royal Bank of Scotland, part of NatWest Group, is ramping up its Accelerator programme, aiming to reach 5,000 Scottish entrepreneurs this year. The push comes before the bank’s new Edinburgh hub, due to open in 2026. Royal Bank is also committing 1 million pounds to the Scottish EDGE Awards over three years, with 200,000 pounds earmarked for the Scale EDGE prize. “In our tenth anniversary year, we are going to turbocharge our support for Scotland’s entrepreneurs,” said Darren Pirie, head of accelerator and partnerships at the bank. UK banks are looking to land and keep smaller business clients, focusing on more than just offering cheaper loan rates. Getting in front of founders early can pave the way for stickier ties