Applications open for £100k NatWest Accelerator Pitch
NatWest has opened applications for its UK‑wide Accelerator Pitch competition, inviting entrepreneurs to compete for a share of £100,000 at each live final
- Applications open today for the NatWest Accelerator Pitch final in Oxford
- Access to funding remain one of the biggest barriers faced by start-ups
- Pitch continues across the UK, with further upcoming finals in Cardiff and London
NatWest has opened applications for its UK‑wide Accelerator Pitch competition, inviting entrepreneurs to compete for a share of £100,000 at each live final, with applications for the Oxford round opening today (14 April).
The Pitch competition aims to address one of the biggest challenges facing early‑stage businesses: access to capital. By combining funding with coaching, peer support and investor networks through the NatWest Accelerator, the programme helps founders move from early validation towards investment readiness.
Since launching in 2025, the Pitch has attracted strong interest from founders across the UK, with three events held to date and nearly £300,000 awarded. Participants report increased confidence, stronger investor conversations and accelerated hiring or product development.
Five finalists will be selected for each live event to pitch for a share of the £100,000 prize fund. The Oxford final will take place on 18 June, recognising the city’s growing role in the UK’s innovation ecosystem, with further Pitch events scheduled in Cardiff on 10 September and London in November.
To enter, founders must be a member of or join the free NatWest Accelerator community via the NatWest Accelerator app and submit a 60‑second video pitch outlining their business and growth plans by 5pm on 5 May. At the live events, finalists will deliver a three‑minute pitch followed by up to seven minutes of questions from the judges. The top three businesses will share the prize fund, with £70,000 for the winner, £20,000 for second place and £10,000 for third.
