NatWest stock: Group report puts UK venture investment at £16.9 billion in 2026

NatWest and PitchBook said UK venture-backed companies attracted £16.9 billion during the first seven months of 2026, while limited exits continued to constrain the market.

NatWest Group published a report on October 6, 2026, saying UK venture-backed companies secured £16.9 billion across 1,417 deals during the first seven months of the year. The report was produced with PitchBook and said investment was increasingly concentrated in fewer, larger funding rounds. NatWest Group published the findings.

Unicorn numbers rise as funding concentrates

The report said the number of active UK venture-backed unicorns rose to 41 from 33 a year earlier, with combined valuations reaching £180.9 billion. Artificial intelligence companies attracted almost £12 billion across 616 financings in 2026, according to the report. NatWest Group said the figures reflect continued investment activity despite a more selective environment.

Exit market remains subdued

NatWest and PitchBook said only one venture-backed initial public offering had taken place in the United Kingdom in 2026 year-to-date, compared with 43 in 2021. The report identified trade sales as the dominant exit route and said improving the mechanisms for returning capital to investors would be important for future growth. NatWest Group said limited liquidity and exit opportunities could slow the recycling of capital through the venture ecosystem.