Innovation International recently hosted a webinar on how Innovator Founder visa holders can prepare for their next application, whether that is a “same business” extension or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). With the route approaching its three-year mark, many founders are reaching the point where they must demonstrate “considerable progress” against the business plan that was last endorsed. The key message was simple but critical: you are assessed against your last endorsed plan (plus any formally approved pivots), not against side projects or unrelated income. Your business plan is effectively a contract with the Home Office, and your next endorsement depends on how well you have delivered what you originally promised.
The webinar outlined the overall process and timelines that founders need to work to. There are two distinct stages: first, an endorsement application assessed by Innovation International; second, the immigration application handled by your immigration or visa specialist. Endorsement assessments typically take 4–6 weeks, and in many cases it can take around eight weeks to prepare an updated, objective business plan and gather evidence. Attendees were strongly encouraged to start planning at least six months before their visa expiry, maintain good records throughout their three years, and present their information in a clear, structured way that makes it easy for assessors to see the evidence.
Assessors focus on three main areas: development of the innovative proposition, commercial traction, and sales and sustainability. They want to see that the core innovation you were endorsed for has been meaningfully developed (product, software, service, or IP), that you have real market engagement and contracts or firm expressions of interest, and that revenue is building in a way that points to scalable, sustainable growth. Targets in the original plan are treated as ambition, not absolute thresholds; under-achieving on revenue can be offset by stronger performance in areas such as recruitment or innovation development, as long as there is a balanced, credible story of progress. However, having no meaningful commercial traction, no developed offering, or only ad hoc, low-level income after three years is a major concern.
A recurring theme was the importance of evidence, accountability, and UK-appropriate business practice. All progress must be evidenced through proper invoices, contracts and accounts that clearly relate to the endorsed business and run through the registered UK entity – not through overseas companies, personal accounts, or unrelated “side hustles”. Many founders come from different business cultures and unintentionally apply home-country norms that do not work in the UK, which can create compliance risks with HMRC and weaken an endorsement case.
To help avoid these pitfalls, Innovator International offers executive guides and a growing network of preferred support partners in areas such as technology development, sales and marketing, and IP management, accessible via innovatorpulse.com.
The closing message was clear: if you focus on building the innovative, scalable UK business you promised – with the right support and business discipline – the endorsement and visa outcomes are far more likely to follow naturally.
You can watch the webinar here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H6wqwyi3Uo
Richard Harrison
