In line with the high street bank NatWest Group‘s vision to help businesses grow and adapt to the rapid pace of technological change, a new partnership has been formed between the bank and Google Cloud.
The collaboration will see Google Cloud support entrepreneurs on NatWest’s Accelerator with access to AI tools, cloud technology, and expert training – equipping the next generation of UK innovators with the digital skills needed to unlock business growth.
Research by NatWest Group shows that data-driven businesses make smarter decisions more quickly – and secure competitive advantage as a result. In a survey of 1000 businesses operating across 10 sectors, 92 per cent of future-fit businesses were found to use data analysis to inform most or all of the significant decisions they make.
Future-fit businesses are also almost twice as likely to have begun to implement artificial intelligence tools and capabilities compared to the average business surveyed.
Taking the next step in a digital world
To support UK businesses to embrace new opportunities for growth, Google Cloud will provide NatWest’s Accelerator community with practical training on AI implementation and digital marketing, delivered through events at NatWest’s nationwide network of Accelerator hubs and the NatWest Accelerator app.
Eligible startups on NatWest’s Accelerator will also receive Google Cloud credits to build, test, and scale their operations on Google’s secure infrastructure – reducing the cost and technical barriers for businesses leveraging AI to scale their ventures.
Google will also partner with the bank on the NatWest Accelerator Pitch competition. NatWest is funding a new £1million competition helping to identify the next generation of UK innovators. Five entrepreneurs took to the stage in Manchester to deliver their best 15-minute pitch on their businesses’ journey and growth plans – with the winner receiving £70,000 for their business.
Entrepreneurs were judged on their business models, innovative growth strategies, and the impact that the prize money would have on their future success.
Darren Pirie, head of the NatWest Group Accelerator, said: “The support we provide to small businesses on the NatWest Accelerator unlocks and accelerates growth right across the UK – helping businesses to boost their turnover, secure investment and scale5. With technology evolving at an extraordinary pace, we are working hard to ensure that our customers are supported to develop the digital skills they’ll need to drive their growth.
“By embedding access to Google’s world-class expertise across our Accelerator, we are providing the practical support needed to help entrepreneurs understand AI and the benefits it could have for their business – so they can step into the future with the confidence and skills they’ll need to grow.”
Darren Mowry, vice president, global startups at Google Cloud said: “Google Cloud is committed to helping UK businesses thrive by providing them with the digital skills and technology they need to innovate. By working with the NatWest Accelerator, we can directly support a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, providing them with access to training, resources, and Google Cloud tools to help them scale their ventures.”
