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The Innovator Founder visa is the UK’s current primary route for non‑UK entrepreneurs aiming to establish an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. Launched in April 2023, it replaced both the old Innovator and Start‑Up visas, removing the previous £50,000 investment minimum, making it more accessible to early‑stage ventures.
To apply, entrepreneurs must secure an endorsement from an approved endorsing body that independently confirms the business idea meets UK standards of innovation, viability, and scale potential.
Successful applicants receive three years’ initial permission, during which they must attend at least two contact‑point meetings with their endorsing body (typically around years 1 and 2). These meetings are more streamlined compared to previous visa schedules. After that, applicants may extend for another three years or apply for indefinite leave to remain, provided they meet performance‑based criteria.
Applicants also need to meet standard eligibility requirements: proof of English at CEFR level B2, being 18 years or older, and showing they can support themselves financially (having held at least £1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days). Importantly, this visa also allows secondary employment in eligible skilled roles (RQF level 3+) alongside developing the endorsed business — a welcome flexibility compared to the previous Innovator visa.
In summary, the 2025 Innovator Founder route offers a more flexible and accessible path for entrepreneurs with genuinely novel, growth‑oriented business models—while reinforcing the UK's focus on quality and compliance through endorsement.
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As of 2025, the list of authorised endorsing bodies for the UK Innovator Founder visa remains compact and highly regulated. Following a significant restructuring in 2023, the UK government now works with a small number of selected organisations to ensure consistency, quality, and stricter oversight of the endorsement process.
There are currently four approved bodies authorised to issue endorsements to new applicants under the Innovator Founder route:
These organisations are responsible for evaluating whether a proposed business idea is genuinely innovative, viable, and scalable. Each of them charges a standard endorsement fee, typically £1,000 excluding VAT, and applicants must also attend at least two contact point meetings during their three-year visa period. Each meeting typically costs £500. These monitoring requirements are designed to ensure that endorsed founders continue to meet business progression criteria and remain engaged with their original business plan.
The Global Entrepreneurs Programme is an exception among the four; it is not open to general applicants but operates on an invitation-only basis. Founders must be selected to participate in GEP’s international scaling initiative before receiving an endorsement.
Meanwhile, all previous endorsing bodies under the Start-up or original Innovator visa routes—such as Tech Nation, Seedcamp, or Bethnal Green Ventures—remain closed to new Innovator Founder applications. Some may still offer transitional support to previously endorsed applicants, but they no longer have the authority to accept or assess new proposals.
Importantly, the list of endorsing bodies has not changed since October 2024. No new endorsers have been added in 2025, and the Home Office has not indicate that it plans to expand the list shortly. This reflects a clear shift toward consolidation and control, prioritising endorsement quality and accountability over volume.
For founders considering this route, the current endorsement landscape is streamlined but highly competitive. It places greater emphasis on founder experience, market readiness, and compliance with UK innovation benchmarks.
What Founders Must Know About the New Endorsing Process
The endorsement process under the Innovator Founder route in 2025 is more selective and structured than in previous years. The UK government has streamlined the system with just a few authorised endorsing bodies, and each now follows a more standardised, rigorous assessment approach. Founders must prepare thoroughly to meet both the formal criteria and the unspoken expectations of endorsing panels.
All business proposals are evaluated against three key criteria:
Innovation – The idea must be original and address a clear market need that is not already being met in the UK. A standard e-commerce site or generic tech platform, for example, would typically not qualify.
Viability – You must demonstrate that your business model is achievable based on your experience, market research, and financial planning.
Scalability – Endorsers want to see genuine growth potential. This may include international expansion, hiring plans, or scalable technology infrastructure.
These standards have not changed, but endorsing bodies in 2025 are enforcing them with greater consistency and less flexibility than before.
To be seriously considered for endorsement, applicants must present a professionally developed business plan with clear financials, demonstrate relevant skills and experience, and—crucially—have evidence of market interest or early traction. Most endorsing bodies now require:
Endorsing bodies typically review applications within 4 to 6 weeks, although this varies depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of submissions. Some also conduct interviews with the applicant or request follow-up documentation before a final decision.
Once endorsed, founders must commit to ongoing contact with their endorsing body, including two mandatory check-ins during the three-year visa period. These reviews assess the business’s progress and ensure that the founder is actively engaged with the UK-based venture.
Endorsement is not guaranteed. Rejection rates are increasing in 2025 as endorsers tighten their processes. Common reasons for refusal include:
Appeals are generally not possible unless new information is submitted, so founders are advised to treat the process as a formal investment-grade application.
Securing endorsement under the Innovator Founder visa in 2025 demands more than just a promising idea—it requires strategic preparation, sharp positioning, and a clear understanding of what endorsing bodies value. With only a small number of approved organisations authorised to issue endorsements, competition is high and standards are rising.
Endorsing bodies are under pressure to back businesses that contribute meaningfully to the UK’s economy and innovation landscape. Founders should consider tailoring their proposals to fit national priorities, such as:
While niche concepts are welcome, they must demonstrate how they solve a real problem in a novel and scalable way. A generic idea, no matter how profitable elsewhere, is unlikely to succeed unless reframed within a UK context.
Gone are the days when a basic concept on paper could earn endorsement. In 2025, endorsers expect to see real-world signals of viability. Founders should include evidence such as:
Even limited traction can carry weight if it shows market validation and potential for growth.
Treat the endorsement application as if pitching to serious investors. A strong application will tell a compelling and coherent story across key areas:
Supporting materials like a pitch deck, one-pager, and founder biography are often expected alongside the formal business plan.
Once endorsed, you’ll be monitored throughout your three-year visa period. This means you must:
Non-compliance can result in withdrawal of endorsement and visa cancellation, so it’s essential to build operational discipline from the start.
Given the high stakes, many founders choose to work with immigration solicitors, visa advisors, or UK-based startup consultants to review their documentation, refine their pitch, or identify the most suitable endorsing body. While not mandatory, expert support can improve clarity and reduce costly missteps.
How Tech Nomads Can Help
Need assistance with your relocation journey to the UK? Tech Nomads offers personalized strategies and full support in navigating the UK Visa processes.
Tech Nomads is a global mobility platform that provides services for international relocation. Established in 2018, Tech Nomads has a track record of successfully relocating talents and teams. Our expertise in adapting to regulatory changes ensures our clients’ satisfaction and success.
Tech Nomads Club is a curated global community for highly skilled professionals.
We host free, application-based events including expert panel talks, start-up pitch days, members-only networking, informal meetups, and fireside conversations with industry leaders.
Membership is free but selective — open to those building across borders and seeking meaningful growth through connection, knowledge, and community.
We also produce a regular podcast, sharing real stories, insights, and voices from inside the Club.
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