- The programme offers mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to NatWest’s banking infrastructure to help companies scale and innovate.
- The programme will place special emphasis on startups that tackle financial inclusion challenges and promote sustainable solutions within the financial services industry.
What happened: NatWest launches Fintech Growth Programme
NatWest has launched a new Fintech Growth Programme aimed at supporting five pre-Series A UK-based fintech startups that focus on solving key challenges in the payments sector. Over ten weeks, selected companies will participate in workshops, mentoring, and coaching sessions, with the goal of co-creating solutions that could be deployed within the bank’s infrastructure. David Grunwald, Director of NatWest Innovation, emphasized the importance of collaboration with fintechs to deliver better outcomes for customers while strengthening the innovation economy. The program is delivered in partnership with Aspire, a consultancy specializing in startup growth.
Mark Brant, Chief Payments Officer at NatWest, highlighted that the initiative offers fintechs the unique opportunity to collaborate directly with NatWest’s senior decision-makers and benefit from a tailored scale-up curriculum. The initiative reflects NatWest’s commitment to innovation and partnership in shaping the future of banking.
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Why it is important
The NatWest Fintech Growth Program bridges the gap between innovative start-ups and established financial institutions, creating opportunities for co-development. By providing fintech companies with the resources, expertise and networks of large banks, the program accelerates their growth and helps them scale faster. In addition, it strengthens NatWest’s own innovation pipeline by facilitating collaboration with emerging technologies, ensuring the bank remains at the forefront of financial services. This initiative supports the development of both the fintech ecosystem and the broader financial industry, driving innovation and enhancing the customer experience.
