Metro Bank launches accelerator for start-ups
Ellie Duncan | News
19 May 2021
High street challenger Metro Bank has launched a 10-week start-up accelerator programme that will give early-stage companies access to mentorship from its senior stakeholders.
Metro Bank Magic Makers is the bank’s first start-up collaboration programme and will be run in partnership with corporate innovation specialists L Marks.
During the 10 weeks, start-ups will have the opportunity to test and validate their solutions, with the aim to discover solutions that enable Metro Bank to continue providing support to its customers and local businesses.
Start-ups have from now until 20 June 2021 to apply for the programme.
The bank is seeking applications from early-stage companies that are innovating within three key areas, including operational efficiency and automation, and data analytics for customer insights to deliver more personalised journeys.
The third area is ‘Metro Bank’s Magic Moments’, which it defined as “new ideas which will benefit our customers – be it better serving our local businesses, finding unique ways to surprise and delight, or innovative technology that can improve how we manage our everyday regulatory processes”.
Kat Robinson, customer experience director at Metro Bank, said: “We are really excited to see what is out there that can make a real difference in our customers’ lives.
“The impact of technology and innovation on our lives is a game changer and we want our customers to share in any benefits we can bring to market.”
Daniel Saunders, chief executive of L Marks, called it an “exciting opportunity” for early-stage companies to scale within a “dynamic” banking environment.
He added: “Metro Bank has always done things differently and has a clear appetite for innovation and disrupting the banking sector. Through Metro Bank Magic Makers, the bank will continue to provide the best service to its customers, which has always been its highest priority.”
In early 2020, Metro Bank announced it had partnered with ezbob to offer SME loans.
