The hub will support founders and growth businesses across sectors, offering targeted business support and direct access to capital, expert insight, commercial opportunities and a powerful network of contacts.

It will also strengthen NatWest’s wider regional ecosystem across Tyseley, Birmingham and Warwick by linking the Accelerator network with NatWest’s specialist venture banking, sustainability finance and IP lending proposition.

The launch supports regional priorities around green growth, innovation and commercialisation, and aims to help more local businesses turn strong ideas into investable, scalable companies.

Advanced engineering and manufacturing already contribute £22 billion a year to the West Midlands economy and support 273,000 jobs. 

TEP Birmingham is home to more than 20 energy and technology organisations working across low‑carbon energy, sustainable transport, resource recovery, advanced materials and the circular economy.

The working industrial site brings together entrepreneurs, manufacturers, universities, policymakers and infrastructure providers to help turn innovation into commercial growth.

Businesses joining the Accelerator will receive specialist coaching, workshops, peer support and introductions to investors, commercial partners and sector experts.

They will also plug into a regional community of founders and innovators across Tyseley, Birmingham and Warwick.

TEP is owned by Webster & Horsfall Group, a family‑owned Birmingham manufacturer with more than 300 years of industrial heritage and a relationship with NatWest dating back to 1948.

The group has transformed part of its historic Tyseley site into an energy and innovation cluster while continuing to manufacture specialist wire and wire‑rope products for the aerospace, automotive, marine and medical industries.

The Accelerator was officially launched at an event attended by founders, manufacturers, investors, universities and regional leaders.

Guests toured the site and joined a panel discussion on how the West Midlands can convert its strengths in research, manufacturing and innovation into more high‑growth businesses.

Robert Begbie, CEO of NatWest Commercial & Institutional, said: “The West Midlands has the industrial strength, technical expertise and entrepreneurial ambition to become one of the UK’s leading regions for green growth. 

“But strong ideas need more than technology alone. Businesses also need capital, customers, commercial expertise and the right networks. 

“This partnership brings those elements together. By combining our Accelerator network, venture banking expertise and sustainability finance capabilities, we can help more businesses commercialise, attract investment and scale. 

“Linking Tyseley with our existing presence in Birmingham and Warwick will create a stronger regional ecosystem and open up more opportunities for founders and growth businesses.”

Robert Horsfall, director of Webster & Horsfall Group and co‑founder of TEP Birmingham, said: “The West Midlands has the industrial expertise, infrastructure and research strength to lead the next phase of green growth. 

“TEP Birmingham was created to bring business, universities and the public sector together to develop and commercialise new ideas. The NatWest Accelerator adds a vital new element, giving founders and growth businesses access to finance, commercial expertise and wider industry networks. 

“Together, we want to help more businesses find partners, secure investment and grow here in the West Midlands.”

NatWest already operates Accelerator hubs in Birmingham and at the University of Warwick.

The new Tyseley location will strengthen that network, connecting founders, investors, universities and industry partners across the region.