X-Forces Enterprise CIC (XFE) has deepened its partnership with NatWest to open up tailored access to the NatWest Accelerator community for service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families who are starting or growing businesses.
The initiative, launching ahead of Armed Forces Day on 27 June, aims to support more members of the Armed Forces community as the number of veteran-owned businesses continues to grow across the UK.
For some, the transition from military to civilian life can present challenges, particularly when it comes to translating skills and accessing the right opportunities. Entrepreneurship is an increasingly important route: research supported by X-Forces Enterprise found that around 6% of small businesses in Great Britain are veteran-owned, representing approximately 340,000 veteran-led small businesses. These enterprises span sectors from Defence, Logistics and Security to Construction, Retail and Hospitality, to name a few.
Through the partnership, the Armed Forces community will receive tailored support via the NatWest Accelerator, including mentoring, expert guidance, peer networks and access to funding opportunities. A new dedicated section within the Accelerator app, created specifically for ex-military entrepreneurs and their families, will enable founders to connect, collaborate and share experiences.
Ren Kapur MBE, CEO at X-Forces Enterprise, said:
“We are delighted to be the exclusive Armed Forces Community partner with NatWest on this important initiative. It is a great testament to Big Business supporting Small Business and offers our beneficiaries and the wider military community practical support to thrive, overcome hurdles and build resilience in a fast-changing economy.”
Darren Pirie, Head of Accelerator and Partnerships at NatWest, said:
“The Armed Forces bring exceptional leadership, resilience and problem-solving skills to business. By working with X-Forces Enterprise, we want to remove barriers and help more ex-military founders turn their ambitions into successful, sustainable companies.”
NatWest’s Accelerator community supports early-stage and high-growth businesses through a network of 14 UK hubs, alongside university partnerships and a calendar of pitch events where entrepreneurs can secure funding to help grow and scale their businesses. Participants also benefit from tailored mentoring, expert guidance and access to investor networks to support their long-term development.
Data from NatWest shows that businesses completing the Accelerator grow turnover by an average of 104% year-on-year, compared to 20% among a control group. Nine in ten Accelerator graduates are still trading after three years.
The initiative forms part of NatWest’s Growing Together plan, which focuses on supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening regional economies and unlocking business growth across the UK. It also reinforces NatWest’s long-standing commitment to the Armed Forces community. NatWest is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and a Gold ERS holder, supporting service personnel, veterans and reservists through employment pathways, dedicated programmes and tailored support designed to help them succeed both during and after military service.
For X-Forces Enterprise, the partnership strengthens its work to help members of the Armed Forces community make informed decisions about enterprise and entrepreneurship, whether they are exploring self-employment, launching a start-up, building a portfolio career or scaling an existing business.
