Metro Bank Innovation Lab 2026

We launched in 2010 as Britain's first new high street bank in over a hundred years, and we have always believed in doing things differently. We are committed to being the best possible Banking Partner for our SME customers, and that means constantly looking for new ways to support them beyond what a traditional bank can offer.

That is why we are partnering with L Marks to launch the Metro Bank Innovation Lab 2026. We want to work with the best technology providers in the market to bring genuinely useful tools to our SME customers, bridging solutions that help them run, grow, and protect their businesses every day.

We're seeking partners in innovative solutions across four specific areas. Each will form part of the Metro Bank Innovation Lab, with selected suppliers entering an 8-week validation phase working directly with Metro Bank teams and data.

1. Trusted Advisor Network

SMEs need access to reliable advice on business matters (in areas including but not limited to strategic, legal, commercial, and operational), but might often struggle to find it. We're looking for solutions that connect them to vetted, curated third-party experts across legal, accounting, tax, and strategy; the kind of support most small businesses can't easily afford or access on their own. The network matters as much as the tech, so we want providers who bring a strong pool of vetted experts and are open to incorporating the relationships Metro Bank’s own team has already built.

What we're looking for:

• A platform that can match our customers to relevant, vetted advisors based on their specific business need, sector or situation
• Curated networks of professional advisors (including but not limited to legal, commercial, operational) to be available alongside Metro Bank’s existing network
• A proven track record of delivering advisory services at scale to SMEs, with demonstrated results and customer satisfaction data to back it up
• Quality assurance and vetting mechanisms

Scalable delivery models that can operate within, be referred from or be distributed through a regulated banking environment.

2. Digital Sales & Marketing

The main objective of our business customers is to increase their client base and increase their revenues. Most SMEs know they need a stronger digital presence to help them grow but might not have the time, budget, or expertise to build one. We're looking for solutions that help business owners acquire customers, convert sales, and drive repeat business through simple, guided tools; without needing a marketing team behind them. Ultimately, this is about technology that combines software with guided onboarding or managed support, helping SMEs get their campaigns live quickly in addition to providing them with the tools they need for digital growth. What we're looking for:

• Tools that help SMEs build or improve their digital presence, including websites, online store or booking journeys integrated with payment and checkout solutions
• Customer acquisition capabilities including simple campaign creation across email, social, and digital advertising channels
• Marketing automation and retention tools such as automated follow-ups, loyalty offers, promotions and customer re-engagement
• Simple performance dashboards with actionable recommendations on reach, conversion, repeat business and campaign effectiveness.

Proven track record of delivering digital sales and marketing tools to SMEs at scale, with models that can be embedded within, referred from, or distributed through a regulated banking environment

3. Cyber Risk Protection

SMEs are increasingly exposed to cyber threats but can struggle to find the expertise or resources to mitigate risks. We're looking for solutions that make cyber risk visible, understandable, and actionable for business owners; giving them the tools to identify vulnerabilities, implement protections, and stay secure over time. This is explicitly distinct from the fraud and security protections Metro Bank already provides on the banking side. The proposition is about the customer's wider business exposure, not their Metro Bank banking activity

What we're looking for:

• A platform that can deliver a cyber risk score and clear vulnerability dashboard in plain business language, focused on business level exposure rather than banking activity
• Guided remediation tools that help SMEs implement practical protections such as MFA, email/domain security, endpoint protection, secure backups and phishing training without needing internal expertise
• Continuous monitoring and alerting capability of the customer’s cyber risk and key business vulnerabilities, fully owned and operated by the provider
• A proven track record of delivering cyber protection or managed cyber services to SMEs at scale

Modular and scalable delivery models that can be embedded within, referred from or distributed through a regulated banking environment

4. Wildcard

Whilst the focus of this programme is on the three aforementioned categories, we are also open to "unknown unknowns". We will be accepting and considering applications from solutions which can support Metro Bank SME customers to improve their operations. The Wildcard category is for innovative solutions that do not fit into the other categories but have the potential to create operational value for Metro Bank and their customers. Whether it’s an unexpected breakthrough, a novel application of existing capabilities, or a disruptive idea with practical impact, this is the space for forward-thinking concepts that can drive real-world value.

Timeline:

• Applications open: 17th June 2026
• Applications close: 24th July 2026
• Pitch Day: Week commencing 7th of September 2026
• Lab Live: Week commencing 28th of September – Week commencing 16th of November 2026
• Demo Day: Week commencing 23rd of November 2026

What happens next:

• Apply: Submit your application through the form below, explaining which tool area you're addressing and how your solution works
• Screening: L Marks will review all applications and shortlist candidates for Pitch Day
• Pitch Day: Shortlisted suppliers present to Metro Bank stakeholders and subject matter experts
• Selection: Successful suppliers are invited into the 8-week Lab Live phase
• Lab Live: An opportunity to work directly with Metro Bank teams to validate your solution using relevant use cases, subject to agreed data, security and governance requirements
• Demo Day: The cohort presents final results to Metro Bank senior leaders

L Marks is the global leader in corporate innovation, trusted by many of the world’s most well-respected brands and organisations to identify, validate, and implement transformative solutions. Through its global network spanning over 80 countries, L Marks discovers more than 10,000 startups and scaleups annually and has enabled over 500 to pilot with corporate partners, achieving an industry-leading deployment rate of 78%. Its alumni have collectively raised over $9.4 billion in venture funding. With over a decade of experience in delivering 120+ award-winning innovation programmes across Europe, North America, and Asia, L Marks is embedding new structures and technologies, driving an innovative culture, and ultimately fuelling sustainable growth.

To learn more, visit lmarks.com

Key figures

• 120+ corporate innovation initiatives
• 78% solution deployment
• 10,000+ innovative companies discovered annually
• 81 countries in our global network
• 500+ start-up and scale-up alumni
• $9.4 billion in funding raised by alumni