Pitch your business and you could win a share of £1m

For 10 years NatWest Accelerator has been helping businesses get going and get growing, and we want to help many more.

To celebrate this milestone, we’re launching NatWest Accelerator Pitch with a total prize pot of £1m to be given out over a series of competitions throughout 2025 and beyond. The prize pot for the first competition is £100k and we want to hear you pitch your success and your plans for growth.

Please note that the Manchester NatWest Accelerator Pitch Competition is now closed for applications.

To stay informed about future competitions and updates about the Accelerator, download the NatWest App from the App store. You can find out more about NatWest Accelerator here.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to your application in the future!

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On this page

Get a slice of the £100k pie

Have you got brilliant ideas and a burning passion to grow your business? Yes? Then it sounds like you’re ready to enter!

To enter, send us a 60-second video telling us how the funding will grow your business.

Our judges will select five Finalists based on the strongest presentation of how they funding will help their business grow and who can demonstrate a strong track record of setting and achieving their business goals. Those Finalists will attend our first live final in Manchester on 31st July.

At the live events, the Finalists will get to deliver their best 15 minute pitch about their business journey, how the prize money will grow their business and why they should win. The best three at each event will share in the £100k prize pot, with the overall winner scooping £70,000 for their business.

So, what are you waiting for?

Finalists will feature in video and photo content produced by NatWest and affiliates and will attend networking events on the day at the NatWest Accelerator Hub.

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Who can enter?

You’ll need to be:

  • a registered limited company

  • registered in the UK

  • trading between one to five years

  • generating up to £1m revenue

  • 18 or over and a UK resident

  • You don’t have to be a NatWest customer to apply

You must not be an employee of NatWest Group of companies, their families or anyone associated with this competition.

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How to Enter

  • Before you start your application, please ensure you have everything you need, as the application cannot be saved midway and must be completed in one sitting. It is advisable to prepare your notes in advance.

  • Prepare a 60-second video pitch (please see video guidance below)

  • Complete online form

  • Make sure your video is uploaded and submitted within the form

  • For Manchester, entries open 27 March 2025 and the closing date for entries is 5pm 8 June 2025

Please read the full terms and conditions and privacy policy. Please note, T&C's are specific to each competition.

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The prizes

Our three winners of NatWest Accelerator Pitch at each live final will walk away with…

  • 1st place - £70,000

  • 2nd place - £20,000

  • 3rd place - £10,000

Monetary prizes will be in the form of a grant, and will be paid via BACS transfer which will take between two-three working days to be received in the winners account, subject to winners providing full business account name, account number and sort code in a prompt and timely manner.

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What do I need to commit to?

Please note, applicants successful in reaching the final will be required to:

  • attend a live final pitch day

  • respond in a timely manner to pre-event invites and communication

  • commit to a total of no more than 4 hours to PR & Marketing initiatives until the end of 2026

  • take part in video content creation including but not limited to, the day of the live finals and post event follow-ups

  • respond in a timely manner to NatWest communication following the competition for future media activity

Winners will be expected to:

  • commit to a total of no more than 4 hours to PR & Marketing initiatives until the end of 2026

  • take part in video content creation including but not limited to, the day of the live finals and post event follow-ups

  • respond in a timely manner to NatWest Communication following the competition for future media activity

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NatWest Accelerator Pitch video guidance

Ready to showcase your business and win big? Here’s what you need to tell us:

  1. Impress us with your business: Who are you and what’s your business all about? Keep it short and punchy.

  2. Boast like a boss: Don’t be modest. Share your successes and milestones. What makes your business stand out?

  3. Getting biggie with it: If you win the cash, what are you going to do with it? How will it help you grow and by how much?

  4. What's so special about you?: Why should the judges choose you over everyone else? What’s your USP?

General Guidance:

  • Be Authentic: Let your passion and personality shine through

  • Be Clear and Concise: Stick to your most powerful points and make every second count. Remember your video shouldn't be longer than 60-seconds

  • Be Specific: Provide a clear plan and vision

How to film:

  • Good Lighting: Ensure you’re in a well-lit space, facing the light source

  • Clear Sound: Choose a quiet location to avoid background noise

  • Steady Camera: Use a tripod or place your camera/phone on a stable surface

  • Framing: Position the camera at eye level and make sure you're centred in the frame

  • Practice: Do a few practice runs to get comfortable

File size guidance – maximum of 60mb

Ready, Set, Pitch!

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Where to apply?

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Manchester

Entries open: 27 March 2025

Closing date for entries: 8 June 2025 - 5pm

Finalists confirmed by: 14 July 2025

Live final: 31 July 2025

Please note: your business does not have to be based in Manchester to enter this competition, however, you will be expected to be able to travel to Manchester if selected for the finals.

Please note if you are a runner-up or winner, you are not eligible to participate in any future competitions.

 Manchester competition T&Cs

Please note that the Manchester NatWest Accelerator Pitch Competition is now closed for applications.

To stay informed about future competitions and updates about the Accelerator, download the NatWest App from the App store. You can find out more about NatWest Accelerator here.

Competition Now Closed
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London

Please note: your business does not have to be based in London to enter this competition, however, you will be expected to be able to travel to London if selected for the finals.

Please note if you are a runner-up or winner, you are not eligible to participate in any future competitions.

To stay informed about future competitions and updates about the Accelerator, download the NatWest App from the App store. You can find out more about NatWest Accelerator here.

Coming soon
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