In our recent zoom session – an interview with the assessor – there were too many questions for us to ask in the session itself. Following the session, Richard right through each question to provide an answer. These answers are provided below, but have also been added to the event video (scroll to the end of the documents for the video link).
Application Processing Times
Q: If I've submitted an application and haven't heard anything in four weeks, is that normal?
Yes, this is completely normal. Applications typically take around 30-35 days to process. Please bear with us if you haven't received a response yet.
Business Innovation Requirements
Q: Must my business be completely new, or can it improve existing services?
Your business can be based on an existing model if it has innovative elements. However, you must show significant improvement over what already exists and demonstrate that clients would shift their loyalty to your service. Consider highlighting implementation costs, ongoing costs, or ease of adoption. The business must still meet the criteria of being sufficiently innovative, viable, and scalable.
Application Information
Q: What are the next steps if I'm interested in applying?
Visit innovatorinternational.com to learn about the endorsement application process. For business support resources, visit innovatorpulse.com. To apply, click the button in the top right corner of the Innovator International website (best viewed on desktop or larger screens).
Customer Validation
Q: Do waitlists and early signups count as customer validation?
Yes, absolutely. However, what matters most is the quality of engagement. Ensure customers are bought into your specific solution at your price point, not just expressing interest in "something bigger, better, or cheaper." For freemium models, remember that 100,000 free users mean little if no one pays for the premium version.
Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
Q: Do I need to be signed up to compliance frameworks (like FCA) straight away?
You don't need to be signed up immediately, but you must demonstrate that you can obtain compliance when required. Show that you're FCA-compliant (for financial projects) or eligible for compliance, or that you qualify for an exemption. Don't leave this until you arrive in the UK, especially if it could be a showstopper for your project.
Co-Founders and Equity
Q: Should my co-founder have equity?
Every founder should have a suitable degree of equity. However, not everyone in your business needs to be a founder or management team member—you can have subcontractors and employees. Applicants are expected to have a considerable shareholding in the business.
Market Research and Client Base
Q: What if I have an amazing idea but no clients yet?
Early-stage research is crucial. Engage with potential customers early to ensure you're solving a real problem and that they're bought into your solution. Never start a business in another country without knowing there are people who want your product. Proper research demonstrates you're using this visa route to build a genuine business, not just seeking UK entry.
Trading Businesses
Q: Can I apply with an existing trading business, or do I need to set up a new one?
You can apply with a trading business, but you must demonstrate that you're a founding member. Don't create a new business if you already have something that works.
Q: I have a business operating overseas—can I move it to the UK?
The purpose of this route is to bring innovation to the UK. If you're moving an existing business, you must add more innovation or build upon it somehow, not simply transfer operations. However, having a trading business demonstrates viability and potential scalability, which works in your favour.
Retail Businesses
Q: What are the chances of getting endorsed for a retail business?
It depends on what makes you sufficiently different. If you have a shop selling products the same way as other UK shops and it's easily replicable, it will be questionable. Consider what already exists in the UK—if it's already available or easily replicable, it won't be permitted or will be highly questioned under this visa route.
Innovation Requirements
Q: Does the product itself need to be innovative, or can innovation be in the business model, technology, or service delivery?
Innovation can be demonstrated in many ways. The most important thing is showing there's a client base for your offering and that it provides something above and beyond what already exists.
Technical Skills and Team
Q: I've hired a CTO—is that acceptable if I don't have tech skills?
Staff and subcontractors don't have to be in the UK. You won't be disqualified for lacking tech skills, but you can't expect a partner to do everything. You're expected to contribute knowledge and intellectual property to the solution. While you can hire a coder, you must develop and contribute to the actual solution itself.
Q: Do I need to have a team in place at the point of application?
No, but if you've identified roles or know people, that's excellent. The main requirement is that the founders are in place.
Financial Requirements
Q: Do I have to show proof of funds for three years?
You need to show you have enough money to get the business to self-sustaining status—where revenue exceeds costs and the business is profitable. Provide good approximations with solid assumptions behind them. Every business is different, so the amount varies depending on your project complexity and market readiness.
Q: How much runway should my financials cover?
Your financials should cover you to the point at which your business is self-sustaining – see the above comment.
Q: Do I need to have funding in place before applying?
If you need funding for your project, it must be in place prior to application. Funding is harder to secure than most people believe, and we cannot endorse applications where the project depends on future funding that might not materialise.
Intellectual Property and Patents
Q: Is patentability important for my application?
For detailed information on patents and intellectual property, visit innovatorpulse.com and search for "IP" to watch the session with Panoramix on intellectual property protection.
Innovator International
Q: In case my patent application fails, what are my chances of getting ILR?
There are many ways to achieve ILR, and it's never solely about patents. There are other ways to protect intellectual property. Multiple targets can be aimed for beyond patents.
Q: Do I need to patent my technology for endorsement?
No, it is not necessary to patent your technology. There are other routes to protect your intellectual property.
ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) Requirements
Q: If we don't generate enough revenue in 3 years, can we still apply for ILR?
No, you cannot apply for ILR without making adequate progress. However, you don't have to achieve everything in 3 years. You need to make progress in line with your business plan. If you've made good progress, you can apply for a Same Business visa to continue that progress before applying for ILR.
UK Operational Commitment
Q: For companies planning UK operations but integrating internationally later, how do we evidence commitment to the UK?
Show commitment through your business plan by maintaining a UK customer presence, customer base, and running all revenue through your UK bank account. It doesn't matter if 10% or 90% is export—what matters is that it's a UK business, the head of operations is in the UK, and revenue flows through audited UK accounts.
Trade Secrets and Technology Protection
Q: If my technology framework could be adapted worldwide and I don't want to patent it (to avoid public domain), how do I explain the process?
You can have trade secrets, and there are ways to protect them. You need to share details with us for the Home Office assessment, but we're protected under confidentiality agreements. Consult with an IP specialist, accessible through the innovatorpulse.com supplier network.
Post-Endorsement Requirements
Q: Once endorsed, what does Innovator International expect in the first 12 months?
We're required to conduct 12-month and 24-month checkpoint meetings, which are reported to the Home Office. However, we focus more on what can genuinely help you succeed. We have two aspects: formal Home Office reporting and business support to help you build your business. Through Innovator Pulse and various programs, we provide skills, knowledge, and resources—but we can't build the business for you.
Scale-Up Visa Route
Q: If I have a business running in the UK and generating revenue, can I apply?
Yes. The Scale-up route is specifically for companies showing high growth characteristics. Innovator International is an endorsing body for Scale-up visas, but we help businesses seeking Scale-up licenses rather than individual applicants.
Accelerator Programs
Q: If we're part of an accelerator, will that make a difference?
Having support around you makes your proposition stronger, but not being in an accelerator doesn't disadvantage you. We can bring in expertise through our supplier and partner network too. What's most important is demonstrating that you can run and manage the business, that it's your idea, and that it's viable and scalable.
Business Setup Timing
Q: Can I apply for the visa before setting up the business in the UK?
You can set up the business before or after getting the visa—it doesn't matter. Setting up before the application carries the risk of having a UK business without a visa if your application is unsuccessful. Alternatively, you can apply and then set up the business once you arrive in the UK.
Target Applicant Profile
Q: When you mention real customers, traction, and developed products, does this mean the visa is only for businesses already trading?
Not necessarily. Many of our applicants don't yet have a product or service, but they understand there's a market for what they're selling. It's better to sell what you haven't yet made than to make something you can't sell. Good projects go through research phases where you engage with customers to identify problems and develop solutions. You don't need paying customers, traction, or a developed product—but you must know there's a market. Most applicants are at the research stage rather than having trading businesses.
Previous Investments
Q: If I've been working on my app for six months and invested a large sum, do I have to show financials excluding my investment?
It's good to show you've invested money, and this can be considered at the settlement point. However, what matters most now is the progress you've made with that investment. At the ILR stage, invested money becomes more relevant as it's one of the targets. Ensure investments run through the business properly and are accounted for by your accountant in company accounts.
Annual Review and Visa Status
Q: If the business doesn't meet the estimated sales at the annual review, will the visa automatically be cancelled?
Absolutely not. You need to show progress against your plan, not necessarily hit specific targets. Entrepreneurs are typically over-ambitious with targets. What matters is moving forward with momentum. If you make absolutely no progress, your visa may be at risk. However, as long as you're making progress on the endorsed plan and addressing challenges to build a viable and scalable business, that's what matters most. Things go wrong and change—the key is adapting and moving the business forward.
Background and Eligibility
Q: I studied certain subjects in India, did a master's in the UK but dropped out after six months, and registered a company. Can I apply?
Your academic background doesn't really matter. What matters is your current proposition and how suited you are to deliver it. Anyone can apply. A good proposition is a marriage of a good idea, a good market, and the right person or people to run it.
Contact Information
If your questions weren't answered in this session, please email info@innovatorinternational.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
For the full session recap, please click below:
