KPMG partners with NatWest and Entrepreneurial Spark to support Yorkshire entrepreneurs

KPMG, the globally recognized professional services business, has partnered with Entrepreneurial Spark, the world’s largest free business accelerator, to provide business advice and support to thousands of entrepreneurs across Leeds and Yorkshire.

The new collaboration between KPMG and Entrepreneurial Spark, powered by NatWest, will deliver a range of benefits to startup businesses across Yorkshire and the rest of the UK in the next three years.

The Entrepreneurial Spark programme, established in 2011, has supported just under 1000 startups which have gone on to create more than 1,700 jobs.

KPMG has committed to providing 1000 hours of support every month over the next three years as Entrepreneurial Spark powered by Natwest continues to expand throughout the UK. Coming off the success of March’s launch of the Leeds Hatchery in NatWest premises at the Headrow, the announcement of an alliance with KPMG is the latest development in the accelerator’s goal of creating a ‘golden age’ for entrepreneurs.

This new three year deal states KPMG will offer advice and guidance to entrepreneurs for an array of issues such as developing better quality business plans; investor readiness; understanding the importance of cash and profit and recognising the impact of business decisions on company finances.

KPMG will also have a dedicated presence at Entrepreneurial Spark’s head office whilst running services in the hatcheries - or start-ups hubs - in Leeds and other locations across the UK.

Furthermore, KPMG will supply a pool of talent in each location to ensure entrepreneurs receive the best possible advice as they build their businesses.

With funds from KPMG, Entrepreneurial Spark powered by NatWest will award the best entrepreneurs with a start-up six figure cash pot prize fund for Leeds annually.

As part of the multi-million pound partnership, entrepreneurs within the region will also have access to KPMG’s Small Business Accounting service.

Ian Beaumont, Enterprise partner at KPMG in Leeds, said: “At the heart of KPMG Enterprise is a deep-rooted commitment to providing coaching, support and advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, so we’re delighted that this new partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark and NatWest will enable us to provide a vital helping hand to early stage and growing ventures up and down the UK.

“Entrepreneurial Spark is working with the big businesses of tomorrow, so the more we can do to help entrepreneurs understand and get to grips with their numbers, and ultimately help them to secure investment, the better.

“We look forward to supporting our first intake of ambitious company owners over the coming months, and watching their businesses flourish.”

Gordon Merrylees, head of Entrepreneurship RBS and NatWest, added: “To have KPMG on board with us as we drive our support for enterprise is tremendous added value for the entrepreneurs in particular. Through working with KPMG and Entrepreneurial Spark, RBS and NatWest truly aims to become the bank for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Whilst finance is of obvious importance to these businesses, it’s the networks, contacts, expertise and mentoring - in other words, the connectivity and know-how that we can bring to the table with KPMG - which will help make all the difference to these inspirational entrepreneurs. I look forward to embarking on this journey with them.”

Jim Duffy, Entrepreneurial Spark CEO, also commented: “At Entrepreneurial Spark, one of our top challenges is ensuring that those start-ups which are seeking investment are truly investor ready. We searched the country for a leading accountancy firm willing to give back and support entrepreneurship, and were blown away by the commitment of the KPMG team. We look forward to working with them across the country over the next three years, enabling entrepreneurs across the country to grow their businesses, create jobs and support the economy.”