NatWest launches new IP-rich SME lending proposition, with support from Inngot

NatWest Group has launched a new lending proposition, developed in collaboration with IP valuation specialists Inngot, to enable high growth IP-rich businesses leverage the value of their Intellectual Property (IP) to support borrowing.

What makes the new NatWest High Growth IP Finance product unique is the way that the bank is taking the IP value into account as security for the loan. That value - and the IP's suitability as collateral – is identified using Inngot's range of IP evaluation tools, including a new collateral suitability checking tool which is powering NatWest’s ability to deliver IP-backed loans at scale.

See the full NatWest Group press release below:

For immediate release - Thursday 11 January 2024

NatWest launches Intellectual Property-based lending to fuel high growth businesses

NatWest Group has launched a new lending proposition for high growth businesses to enable them to lever off the value of their Intellectual Property (IP).

High growth businesses generally own few tangible assets, but can be rich in IP and intangible assets. These businesses can find it difficult to use their assets as collateral to secure growth funding, especially when compared with firms holding more conventional assets. This has led to a large growth funding gap for fast-growing, asset light businesses which is estimated to be as much as £15 billion annually1.

In response, NatWest is evolving its high growth lending offer to support eligible IP-rich businesses to unlock their full potential. While the bank will always initially assess loan applications to establish whether the customer meets the criteria for standard lending options, if the bank cannot meet a high growth business’ borrowing needs through conventional security criteria, it will consider whether it could raise funding by using their qualifying IP assets as collateral2. The bank will use valuations provided by the specialist IP evaluation company Inngot to identify and evaluate relevant assets which could be taken as security for loans.

The wider impact of scale-ups – defined as businesses that grow at more than 20% per annum - is demonstrated by the latest report from the ScaleUp Institute. In 2023 there were 28,410 scale-ups which generated a total turnover of £1.3 trillion for the economy and employed 2.6 million people. These firms have an outsized impact on the economy, generating 58% of the turnover of all UK SMEs despite making up just 0.5% of the SME population4.

Andy Gray, Managing Director of Commercial Mid-Market at NatWest Group, said:

“As the UK’s leading business bank, we are delighted to have joined forces with Inngot, to provide a truly innovative and progressive proposition for high growth SMEs and scale-up businesses. Many of these businesses struggle to access debt funding when they need it without having to dilute equity. This new offering will allow these firms to go further and faster in their growth journey.”

Martin Brassell, CEO of Inngot, said:

“With this new proposition, NatWest is recognising that IP is a vital component of value for growth companies that must be considered properly in lending decisions. Many entrepreneurs will welcome NatWest’s emphasis on a business’s intangibles, which have often gone ignored, rather than relying on personal or tangible assets. There is massive potential to transform the prospects of some of our most exciting firms by enabling them to leverage the things that really drive their success.”

Find out more about NatWest’s support for growing businesses here.

ENDS

Media contact:

Lucy Chislett

Media Relations Manager, Commercial Banking, NatWest Group

Lucy.chislett@natwest.com, 07974864900

Notes to editors:

1. ScaleUp Institute, The Future of Growth Capital Report, 2020.

2. Businesses that classify as ‘high growth’ need to show 20% year-on-year growth in turnover over three consecutive years (minimum turnover £250,000) and/or a minimum £50,000 equity/grant investment in the last two years. Eligibility criteria and fees apply.

3. ScaleUp Institute, ScaleUp Annual Review 2023, pages 8-9.

About NatWest Group

NatWest Group is a relationship bank for a digital world. We champion potential; breaking down barriers and building financial confidence so the 19 million people, families and businesses we serve in communities throughout the UK and Ireland can rebuild and thrive. If our customers succeed, so will we.

About Inngot

Inngot has been providing IP valuation tools and services since 2010, with a particular focus on helping companies establish the value of their IP and intangible assets to support equity and debt fundraising. Its online platform, developed with SMEs in mind, offers a consistent, cost-effective and scalable way to identify and value these otherwise ‘hidden’ company-owned intangibles. The toolkit has been used by hundreds of early-stage and scale up companies for a range of purposes, but mainly to support fund-raising. Inngot also provides customised IP strategy services for larger companies, and has advised NGOs, government agencies and innovation networks on IP identification and monetisation policy.