Jim Duffy, CEO of Entrepreneurial Spark, said: “We are delighted to be launching in Birmingham today with NatWest. Our tried and tested accelerator programme has already had a significant impact on the start-up community in Scotland, helping 350 businesses to create over 1,000 jobs and £41million in turnover to date. Birmingham has been found in a number of pieces of research to be the most entrepreneurial city in the UK, so it’s a fitting place for our first hub in England. Our message to entrepreneurs is work hard, focus and ‘Go Do’ to achieve the business success of your dreams.”
Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, also commented: “The new accelerator hub launched by NatWest and Entrepreneurial Spark will expand the wide range of business support already available for entrepreneurs across Birmingham.
“The city is quickly establishing itself as the UK’s capital of enterprise. More companies than ever – from SMEs to global brands – are locating here. By offering a large talent pool, dynamic business networks and established city infrastructure, Birmingham welcomed more new businesses than any other regional UK city last year.
“With this new hub now available to help local entrepreneurs, the city’s thriving business community is set to grow even further”.
At the end of the six month programme the hub will host a graduation event bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and business advisors for mentoring and networking sessions. These events will also see rewards for outstanding businesses and the opportunity for the graduating businesses to pitch to win cash injections.
Commenting on the opening of the hub in Birmingham, Commercial and Private Banking CEO Alison Rose said: “I am delighted to announce the opening of our first hub in Birmingham. This is a step-change in how NatWest supports entrepreneurial talent and by opening up our premises here in St Philips Place we are backing the businesses of tomorrow and helping ambitious entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level.
This is good for them, good for us and ultimately good for the economy here in the Midlands. We have a trusted partner in Entrepreneurial Spark and together we can really make a difference to those businesses at the start of their journey.”
NatWest is looking to situate hubs in the bank’s existing premises wherever possible. Building on the Entrepreneurial Spark model, which has already proved hugely successful in Scotland, applicants will be welcomed from any sector and do not need to be NatWest or RBS customers. The next two hubs will be in Bristol and Leeds and will be opening in the summer.