To celebrate Hatch’s tenth anniversary, the charity has awarded ten founders grants of £10,000 each, which were funded by NatWest. The grants have been set up to enable business founders from diverse backgrounds to overcome barriers to growth typically faced by these groups in the start-up sector.
Applications in this round were open to graduates of Hatch programmes, targeting support at underrepresented founders. Of the awardees, nine were female founders, three were from an ethnic minority background and five were disabled. Nine out of the ten grants were awarded to founders based outside of London.
Research from Hatch has revealed that three quarters of people in the UK do not believe that an entrepreneur is someone who resembles them . Since 2014, Hatch has supported nearly 8,000 founders from across the UK with community events, mentoring and support programmes.
Rebecca Norris, founder of Rebecca Norris Designs and one of the ten awardees, said:
“I am absolutely over the moon to get this life changing grant. This money will allow me to move my business to the next level. I will be able to purchase equipment for my studio and gain vital training to enhance my own skills. Crucially I will be able to open a physical studio that will enable me to hold more workshops and pottery courses. Without this grant I would not have been able to take this major step in my small business.”
As the biggest bank for start-ups in Great Britain2, NatWest has been a longstanding supporter of Hatch, donating £1 million pounds to the charity last year to accelerate its work. The bank also sponsors Hatch’s Launchpad and Incubator programmes, helping entrepreneurs to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and network needed to launch and grow their business.
James Holian, Head of Business Banking at NatWest, said:
“Talented entrepreneurs are equally distributed, but access to opportunities isn’t always equal. That’s why we’re giving these ambitious founders a welcome boost with £10,000 in grant funding to help drive their businesses forward. Each entrepreneur is given wraparound support and access to events to accelerate their progress.
“At NatWest we believe no matter who you are or where you come from, with the right support, entrepreneurs from any background can succeed in business. Our research shows that breaking down barriers to entrepreneurship will not only make the UK fairer, but also stimulate growth of the wider UK economy.”
Rebekah Capon, Managing Director at Hatch Enterprise, said:
“Our mission at Hatch is to build a better world through entrepreneurship, supporting those typically underrepresented in the sector to launch and grow sustainable, successful businesses. Access to funding is a huge barrier to growth for any business, and even more so for historically marginalised communities.
“This partnership with NatWest is the perfect way for us to mark our tenth year as a charity, and we’re so pleased for the ten incredible founders awarded funding. Receiving these grants of £10,000 will make a real difference to the founders themselves, their businesses, and their wider communities.”
Notes to editors
- The Entrepreneurs Club – Who gets to start a business in modern Britain?
- Based on the % of 586 businesses, less than 2 years old, that name a NatWest Group brand as their main bank (20%). Source: MarketVue Business Banking from Savanta, YE Q1 2024. Data weighted by region and turnover to be representative of businesses in Great Britain.
About NatWest Group
NatWest Group is a relationship bank for a digital world. We champion potential; breaking down barriers and building financial confidence so the 19 million people, families and businesses we serve in communities throughout the UK and Ireland can rebuild and thrive. If our customers succeed, so will we.
About Hatch Enterprise
Hatch is a national charity that supports underrepresented entrepreneurs from across the UK to imagine, launch, and grow businesses that are sustainable, successful, and have a positive and lasting impact on their communities.
We’re committed to building a fairer society by helping develop entrepreneurs’ skills, knowledge, and confidence through our unique programmes designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, and our sustainable, compassionate financial support offering.
We're a charity with a strong business mindset. Since 2014, we’ve supported more than 7,800 UK entrepreneurs to flourish, building a vibrant network of partners, funders, and investors who share our vision in the process.
Media contact
Lucy Chislett
Media Relations Manager, Commercial Banking
lucy.chislett@natwest.com | 07974864900
