Innovator International opened 2026 with an interactive Q&A session designed to help founders better understand the Innovator Founder Visa route, with the recording made available via InnovatorPulse.com. The team explained that while they can’t comment on individual idea suitability in an open forum, they can answer general questions about the route, the criteria, and what applicants need to prepare before applying.
This session focused on the newly refreshed Innovator Founder Visa Application Pack, now available through InnovatorInternational.com, alongside supporting resources including the business planning guide, same business guide, and ILR settlement guide. The team walked attendees through the purpose of the visa route (economic benefit through revenue and job creation), the role of an endorsing body, and the end-to-end process — including the required documents, funding evidence expectations, and typical timescales for assessment and due diligence.
A key takeaway was what assessors are truly looking for: clear evidence of innovation, viability, and scalability, backed by credible customer validation and a realistic plan for growth. The team shared practical guidance on common pitfalls (such as “consultancy with a twist,” overly long plans, or relying on future salary instead of accessible funds), and reinforced that endorsement success depends on meeting the criteria — not competing against other applicants. The session concluded with an invitation to explore the application pack and guidance resources, and to join future events covering innovation and further open Q&A support.
Watch the full session below:
