(L - R): Ollie Connolly, Helen Hardy and Rachel McDonald.

Female football entrepreneur secures six-figure investment amid NatWest support

Women’s football entrepreneur Helen Hardy is encouraging other entrepreneurs to apply for a space on NatWest’s Accelerator business building programme before the closing date next week, after seeing her business secure a six-figure investment since joining the free scheme just a year ago.

Helen, founder of women’s football shirt business Foudy’s, which is the first in the world to retail Women’s Super League shirts with the official lettering of the league, joined the NatWest Accelerator programme in early 2022, accessing six months of free support and guidance on how to scale and grow her business.

After coaching and mentorship from NatWest in everything from pitching to finding funding and leadership development, Helen, who began her business at the kitchen table, has secured a six-figure investment from Fearless Adventures, who were introduced to Helen and her company at a pitching event run by the bank.

Helen, originally from Newcastle but now living in Manchester, commented: “The mentorship and support we’ve received through the programme has been amazing. The ability to surround myself with other aspiring founders has been really beneficial.

“To go on and secure funding via a NatWest pitch event just goes to show the power of the Accelerator programme and is a friendly reminder to founders that you never know who’s in the room!”

North West entrepreneurs have one week left to apply for support from NatWest and its Accelerator programme, with the deadline for applications closing on February 27 at 9am.

Dom McGregor, co-founder of Fearless Adventures, added: “We’ve spoken to hundreds of founders over the past 12 months and the stand-out theme is that money isn’t everything.

“Founders need real tangible support to scale their business and what NatWest offers is of huge benefit. Our values align and our recent partnership with Helen is testament to the quality of founders that join the NatWest programme.”

Heather Waters, regional enterprise manager for NatWest in the North, concluded: “It is amazing to see entrepreneurs like Helen thrive on the NatWest Accelerator scheme and I’m thrilled that Helen has secured this funding, which will help take her business to the next level.

“The Accelerator programme supports and empowers entrepreneurs and business owners to scale their business and go after their goals, and the success of Foudy’s shows just what support and mentorship can help achieve. I’d encourage any entrepreneurs looking to take their business much further and faster to apply.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily