Happy Bonfire Night, everyone! Wrap up warm, find yourself a hot drink, and settle in for a look at what has been happening on Innovator Pulse this week.

Lights, bonfires and a few new traditions

Once the clocks go back, the UK settles into long, dark evenings, but it is also one of the most sociable times of the year. Tonight, towns, schools and community groups across the country are lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks to mark Bonfire Night. If you are new to Britain, an organised display is the easiest way to join in. Book early, bring gloves and a hat, and keep an eye out for jacket potatoes, toffee apples and Parkin (a sticky ginger cake from the north of England) on the food stalls.

There is more to come. On Sunday 8 November, Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities with lamps, sweets and fireworks, and Leicester hosts one of the biggest celebrations outside India. The same day is Remembrance Sunday, a quieter moment when many people pause for a two minute silence at 11am on 11 November. You will see red poppies on coats and lapels, and wearing one is entirely a personal choice.

Our full guide to these celebrations is on Pulse if you would like the details, and it is a lovely read if you are wondering how best to join in.

Autumn celebrations include lights, pumpkins and bonfires
Once the clocks go back, the UK settles into long, dark evenings. It can feel gloomy at first, especially if you have recently arrived. But this stretch of the year is also one of the most sociable, with a string of celebrations that bring families, neighbours and communities out into
Innovator PulseInnovator International

Have you booked your Executive Guide yet?

Building a business in a new country is exciting and demanding in equal measure, which is why every Innovator Pulse member is paired with a dedicated Executive Guide. They help you turn your business plan into a clear roadmap, with milestones and priorities you can act on this month, not just someday.

You are entitled to a monthly meeting with your guide, and it is already part of your membership. It is a protected hour to look at what has moved forward, what has stalled, and what to do next. Your guide will also keep you on track with your visa compliance, and can point you towards our Business Support and Investment Support services when the time is right.

If you have not met with your guide yet, now is a wonderful time to start. And if it has been a while, there is no better moment to come back. Booking takes a minute: choose your coach, pick a time that suits you, and bring your questions, your doubts and your wins.

Have you booked your Executive Guide yet?
Building a business in a new country is one of the most exciting things a person can do. It is also one of the most demanding. New systems, new markets, new rules and a long list of decisions that all seem to need answering at once. Most founders we meet
Innovator PulseInnovator International

A peek behind the curtain: how we perform an assessment

A pencil resting on a multiple choice answer sheet with pink sticky notes
Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu / Unsplash

We receive lots of emails asking how our application process works, so we put it all in one place. The article walks you through every stage, from the free support packs you can download before you apply, right through to the decision.

A few highlights we love sharing. Your application is assessed by experienced professionals, many of whom have built, run or exited their own businesses, and every decision is reviewed by a lead assessor for consistency. Assessments are carried out by humans, not AI. And there is good news on timing too: after training new assessors, our average assessment time has come down from around 40 days at the start of the year to around 26 days this autumn.

How do we perform an assessment?
The majority of emails we receive ask about our application process. Can we provide our opinion on an idea before the assessment? Why have I not heard anything during my assessment? Are the assessors appropriately qualified? So, we thought we would answer all of these questions for you in a
Innovator PulseInnovator International

Save the date: Wednesday 25 November, 10am UK

We have made a change to our November events. Our AI session is moving to January, and we will share the new date as soon as it is confirmed. In its place, we are running a one-off session called Can you believe what you read about the IFV?

Lately there have been plenty of headlines about the Innovator Founder Visa route, and many of them are built on outdated or incomplete assumptions. Richard will host an honest, open conversation, bringing updated figures, comparisons with the published Home Office statistics, current trends, and real information from an active Endorsing Body. Bring along anything you have read that has made you wonder, because no question will go unanswered.

The session is for anyone with an interest in the route, whether you are planning to apply, partway through, or already endorsed. It is free for all registered members, but you will need to register through Zoom to reserve your place. If you cannot join live, a recap will be shared on Pulse for paid members.

A change to our AI November webinar
We like to give you plenty of notice when something changes, so here it is. Our AI session, which had been planned for November, is being postponed until January. In its place, on Wednesday 25 November, we will be running a one-off session on a subject that has been
Innovator PulseInnovator International

Plans for the weeks ahead

If you would like company for a fireworks display or a Diwali celebration, our community WhatsApp group is a friendly place to find someone to go with. And if you are planning a meet up or co-working session of your own, send us the details (location and timings) and we will gladly share them in next week’s newsletter.

Thank you, as always, for being part of the our community. Enjoy the fireworks, and see you next week!