It's been a week for remembering that small details matter, in visa applications and in our own writing. We spotted a mix-up in one of our webinar titles this week, and it turned out to be a useful reminder of just how much a single word can shift the meaning of what you're trying to say. More on that below.
Between the live session, some behind-the-scenes work on our endorsement process, and a fresh run of events landing on the calendar for October, there's plenty to catch up on. Here it is.
A quick correction, and thank you for joining us
You may have spotted that this week's webinar was promoted under the title "Considerable Progress." That was a slip on our part. The correct wording, and the one actually used throughout the assessment process, is "significant progress", not considerable. We wanted to flag that clearly here in case it caused any confusion.
Wording aside, thank you to everyone who joined us live on Wednesday morning. We talked through how significant progress is actually assessed against your most recently endorsed business plan, the kind of evidence that demonstrates meaningful growth versus evidence that looks good on paper but doesn't tell the full story, and how the requirements shift depending on whether you're extending with the same business or applying for ILR.
We recorded the full session and the recap and write up will be available on Innovator Pulse soon...
How long does endorsement actually take?
If you've recently submitted your application and find yourself refreshing your inbox more than you'd like to admit, you're not alone, and it's completely normal. We've put together a full breakdown of what the assessment process actually involves, from the Maturity Matrix our team works through, right to what it means (and doesn't mean) when your inbox stays quiet for a while.
The headline is that our official guidance remains four weeks, but average processing times have been running noticeably faster than that this year, and we explain exactly why. We also cover when it's the right moment to reach out if you haven't heard anything, so you're not left guessing.
It's a genuinely useful read if you're currently waiting to hear back, or just want to know what to expect before you apply. You can catch the
Innovator International
What's on in October
With September almost over already (how?!), our regular Innovator Founder Visa Open Q&A returns on Wednesday 7th October at 10am. It's open to anyone with questions about the route, whether you're still exploring the idea or already partway through your application. Bring whatever's on your mind and we'll do our best to answer it live.
Innovator International
On Thursday 15th October at 10am we're running our Welcome Session for Entrepreneurs, designed for founders who are new to the community or newly endorsed. It's a chance to get to grips with the support available to you, meet the team, and find your feet within the wider Pulse network*
Innovator International
*To book on these events, please refer to your welcome email or welcome pack, which will include your individual booking link.
This one is worth making time for. On Wednesday 21st October at 10am we're running Answering All Your Financial Questions. Financial requirements come up again and again as one of the trickiest parts of the Innovator Founder route to get your head around, whether that's what counts as investment, how funds need to be structured, or what evidence you'll need to show. We're dedicating the whole session to working through those questions properly, so if finance has ever left you scratching your head, this is the one to attend.
Innovator International
And looking a little further ahead, Applying For Your Next Endorsement (ILR or Same Business) runs again on Thursday 29th October at 11am. If you're getting close to the end of your current visa period, this session walks through what the application itself involves and what you'll need to have ready.
Innovator International
That's all folks, see you next week!
