New Wolverhampton business Accelerator strengthens Midlands innovation network

Entrepreneurs across Wolverhampton and the Black Country with ambitions to start or scale a business will gain access to NatWest's national community of entrepreneurs, investors and specialist growth support following the launch of a new Accelerator Hub at the University of Wolverhampton.

The new NatWest Accelerator hub is designed to help turn the region's innovation and entrepreneurial talent into commercial success through coaching, networks, finance pathways and investment opportunities. It also builds on its existing national network of hubs, adding to the Midlands cluster of hubs in Birmingham, Warwick University and Tyseley Energy Park.

Based at the University, within the city's Green Innovation Corridor, the hub sits within a wider Black Country industrial base that includes thousands of manufacturing and engineering firms, significant green innovation assets and major regeneration schemes across Wolverhampton and neighbouring boroughs, creating a strong pipeline of ideas, partners and opportunities for the businesses joining the Accelerator.

The partnership combines the University of Wolverhampton's research, innovation and commercialisation expertise with NatWest's proven Accelerator ecosystem, connecting founders to support, growth networks, investors and specialist banking support to help more businesses scale successfully.

The NatWest Accelerator opening comes at a time of growing momentum for the University of Wolverhampton, which has recently been recognised among the UK’s top 10 universities as voted for by students and awarded an overall five‑star rating by QS. The University has also described itself as the UK’s fastest‑growing university based on growth in UCAS acceptances between 2024 and 2025. 

The launch was fronted by a high‑energy pitch competition, with founders battling for a share of £100,000 to turbo‑charge their growth. Among the winners was Rebecca Bognold, CEO and Founder of Fibraxis, an Aston University spinout that looks to halt and reverse structural lung damage in asthma.

Professor Prashant Pillai, Pro Vice‑Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said:   “Wolverhampton and the wider Black Country are home to a huge amount of talent, ideas and industrial strength. The new NatWest Accelerator will help us turn more of that innovation into successful businesses and high‑value jobs, by linking our research, facilities and graduate talent directly into the Bank’s national networks and specialist support. It is a major step forward for our role in driving regional growth and creating new opportunities for our students, staff and communities.” 

Darren Pirie, Head of Accelerator at NatWest:  “The Black Country has no shortage of entrepreneurial talent. The opportunity is helping more founders turn great ideas into successful, scaling businesses.

“This partnership with the University of Wolverhampton gives local entrepreneurs access to NatWest’s wider ecosystem of founders, investors, industry experts and specialist banking support. By connecting Wolverhampton into our growing Midlands accelerator cluster, we can help more businesses access the networks, expertise and finance they need to grow with confidence.”

As companies progress through the Accelerator, they will be able to connect into NatWest’s Venture Banking proposition, giving them specialist venture banking expertise, investor networks and ecosystem partners to help scale their innovations across the UK and beyond. 

While based in a nationally significant green growth district, the new hub is deliberately designed to serve a broad mix of sectors – from advanced manufacturing, construction and engineering to digital, creative and technology‑enabled services. 

The Wolverhampton hub strengthens NatWest's growing Midlands accelerator cluster, building on its established presence in Birmingham and Warwick and the recently launched hub at Tyseley Energy Park. Together, these hubs are creating stronger connections between entrepreneurs, investors, universities and industry, helping innovative businesses across the region access the support, networks and finance they need to grow.

The Accelerator can be accessed in person at hubs across the country and via its app, which is free to download and use, giving entrepreneurs across Wolverhampton, the Black Country and the wider Midlands an easy way to connect into specialist support and networks. 

The launch forms part of NatWest Group’s wider ‘Growing Together’ plan to drive long‑term UK economic growth by backing innovators and building stronger regional economies.

About NatWest

NatWest serves customers in England and Wales, supporting them with their personal, private, and business banking needs. NatWest helps customers at all stages in their lives, from opening student accounts, to buying their first home, setting up a business, and saving for retirement.

Alongside a wide range of banking services, NatWest offers businesses specialist sector knowledge in areas such as sustainable energy, commercial property and technology, as well as access to specialist entrepreneurial support.

Picture: Solange Chamberlain, Chief Executive Officer of NatWest's Retail Business, Professor Prashant Pillai, Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, Councillor Stephen Simkins, Deputy Mayor of the WMCA and Leader of Wolverhampton City Council.