NatWest has announced a £70,000 prize for the winner of its Accelerator Pitch competition, part of a broader £1 million initiative to support UK startups and scaleups. In collaboration with Google Cloud, the scheme offers entrepreneurs access to AI tools, cloud technology and expert-led digital skills training.
Marking ten years of the NatWest Accelerator programme, the pitch competition invites UK entrepreneurs to submit 60-second videos outlining how funding would accelerate their business. Finalists will compete in live events, with the top three sharing a £100,000 prize pool. The overall winner will receive £70,000.
The initiative is designed not only to provide capital but also to reward businesses with clear, impactful growth strategies. Alongside funding, the partnership with Google Cloud delivers training on AI implementation and digital marketing. Startups also receive Google Cloud credits to help offset technical costs.
Darren Pirie, Head of the NatWest Group Accelerator, said the programme empowers businesses to navigate a fast-changing technological landscape. “Digital skills are critical to unlocking small business growth across the UK,” he said. Darren Mowry, Vice President of Global Startups at Google Cloud, echoed the sentiment, highlighting Google’s commitment to supporting UK innovation.
Since launching in 2015, the NatWest Accelerator has supported nearly 10,000 businesses, helped raise over £684 million in investment and contributed to the creation of more than 12,000 jobs. NatWest now plans to expand the programme, with a goal of supporting up to 10,000 entrepreneurs in 2025 and forming new university partnerships to extend its reach.
This competition coincides with Google Cloud’s launch of a 12-week, equity-free accelerator for AI startups. With over 60% of UK AI startups already using Google Cloud, the collaboration strengthens the UK's ecosystem for responsible, tech-led business growth.
Together, NatWest’s funding and Google’s digital infrastructure offer a powerful platform for entrepreneurs ready to lead in the AI economy. By combining financial support with hands-on expertise, the initiative positions the UK at the forefront of ethical and transformative innovation.
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Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The NatWest Accelerator Pitch competition was announced in March 2025, with the first live final held in Manchester on 31 July 2025. ([natwestgroup.com](https://www.natwestgroup.com/news-and-insights/news-room/press-releases/enterprise/2025/mar/natwest-launches-1-million-competition-to-accelerate-small-busin.html?utm_source=openai), [natwest.com](https://www.natwest.com/business/business-services/entrepreneur-accelerator/pitch.html?utm_source=openai)) The article from Birmingham Mail was published on 1 August 2025, reporting on the recent event. The content appears fresh and directly related to the recent competition. No evidence of recycled or outdated information was found.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Darren Pirie, Head of the NatWest Group Accelerator, and Darren Mowry, Vice President of Global Startups at Google Cloud. These quotes are consistent with statements made in the official NatWest press release dated 31 July 2025. ([natwestgroup.com](https://www.natwestgroup.com/content/natwestgroup_com/en_uk/natwestgroup/news-and-insights/news-room/press-releases/enterprise/2025/jul/natwest-and-google-to-boost-uk-startups-with-ai-tools-and-traini.html?utm_source=openai)) No discrepancies or variations in wording were found, indicating the quotes are accurately reported.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article is published by Birmingham Mail, a regional news outlet. While it is a legitimate source, it may not have the same level of authority as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. However, the information aligns with official NatWest communications, lending credibility to the report.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article reports on the NatWest Accelerator Pitch competition, which is consistent with NatWest's recent initiatives to support UK startups. The details about the competition, including the £70,000 prize and the partnership with Google Cloud, are corroborated by official NatWest press releases. ([natwestgroup.com](https://www.natwestgroup.com/content/natwestgroup_com/en_uk/natwestgroup/news-and-insights/news-room/press-releases/enterprise/2025/jul/natwest-and-google-to-boost-uk-startups-with-ai-tools-and-traini.html?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone of the article are appropriate for the subject matter, and there are no signs of sensationalism or inconsistencies.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article provides a timely and accurate report on the NatWest Accelerator Pitch competition, with information consistent with official NatWest communications. The quotes are accurately reported, and the source is reliable. No significant issues were identified, indicating a high level of credibility.
