Now that the idea is anchored, capture founder strengths, gaps, certificates, network, availability, and role-fit evidence aligned to the idea.
Phase 0 — Readiness (Founder credibility proof)
CV (PDF) uploaded (tailored to the idea).
LinkedIn link (or portfolio website) saved as evidence notes.
Portfolio / proof-of-work links (GitHub / case studies / screenshots).
Role fit statement: “Why me for this business” (3–5 bullets).
Gap plan (optional): how you cover missing skills (advisor/co-founder/contractor).
This is what endorsers use to judge execution credibility. Add evidence now.
Endorsers judge execution credibility early. This step builds your credibility pack so later
steps (eligibility + endorsement) are stronger and faster.
How to use evidence here:
Upload your CV as PDF using the evidence upload below, and paste your LinkedIn +
portfolio/GitHub links inside the evidence Notes.
Founder credibility proof checklist
CV (PDF) uploaded (tailored to the idea)
LinkedIn link (or portfolio website) saved in evidence notes
Portfolio / proof-of-work links (GitHub, case studies, screenshots)
Role fit statement: “Why me for this business” (3–5 bullets)
Gap plan (optional): how you cover missing skills
(advisor/co-founder/contractor)
This is what endorsers use to judge execution credibility. Add evidence now.
What good looks like
Your CV is positioned to the business (not a generic CV).
It highlights relevant outcomes, shipped work, and measurable impact.
Your proof links show real execution: products, prototypes, delivery, design, sales, ops.
Your role fit bullets connect your background to this exact problem, in plain language.
If you have gaps, you don’t hide them — you show a risk reduction plan
(advisor/co-founder/contractor + timeline).
Copy/paste templates (use in Evidence Notes)
1) Role fit bullets (“Why me for this business”)
- I have direct experience in: [domain / customer type / industry], proven by: [project / role / result].
- I can build/deliver the solution because: [skill + proof link + outcome].
- I understand the customer problem because: [evidence: interviews, prior work, lived experience, metrics].
- I can execute go-to-market through: [channels + proof: campaigns, partnerships, sales history].
- I can manage operations/compliance by: [process + evidence + advisor if needed].
This step is about proving the business is real:
demand, customers, pricing, competitors, and execution plan.
Customer interviews / surveys
Competitor comparison and differentiation
Pricing model + simple unit economics
Pilot users / LOIs / partnerships
Later you’ll connect this step to Five Forces + Market Research tools.
This step is where you prove your business is real — not just “a nice idea”.
You need evidence of demand, evidence of competition, and a clear
commercial path.
Keep it simple: collect proof that people want this, will pay for it, and you can reach them.
Fast validation rule
Don’t aim for “perfect research”. Aim for 10–30 real data points you can show:
interviews, surveys, waitlist signups, pilot users, LOIs, small sales, partner emails, screenshots.
Customer proof (demand)
Who is the customer (exact persona / segment)?
What pain do they feel (cost, time, risk)?
How they solve it today (competitor / manual workaround)?
Why they would switch (clear trigger)?
Evidence examples: interview notes, survey results, screenshots of chats, waitlist form export.
Competition proof (position)
Top 5 competitors (direct + indirect)
Your unique mechanism (what you do differently)
Your edge / moat (data, network, compliance, distribution, partnerships)
Why you win for a specific niche first
Porter’s Five Forces — Helper
Use this framework to describe competitive pressure & market attractiveness.
Rivalry (existing competitors)
Who are the direct competitors (top 3–5)?
What do they compete on (price, features, distribution)?
Is the space crowded or fragmented?
How fast are they improving?
Threat of new entrants
What stops a copycat (brand, compliance, distribution)?
Startup costs/time to launch?
Do customers switch easily?
Threat of substitutes
What alternatives solve the same job-to-be-done?
What workaround do people use today?
What would make them not need you?
Buyer & Supplier power
Who pays (consumer, manager, procurement)?
How price-sensitive are they?
Do suppliers have leverage?
Market Segmentation — Helper
Use this to define your first target segment clearly — endorsers care about focus.
Define your first segment
Who: persona / customer type
Where: UK region / online / city / community
Pain: urgent problem + why now
Budget owner: who pays and how they decide
Segment filters
Needs-based (pain severity, frequency)
Behaviour (already paying for alternatives)
Ability to buy (budget + speed of decision)
Access (channels you can reach them cheaply)
If you don’t have those tools wired, keep this as a reminder and remove the buttons.
Commercial proof (money)
Pricing hypothesis (simple: 1–3 tiers)
How you acquire customers (channels)
Basic unit economics idea (rough is fine)
Who pays and why (budget owner)
Minimum proof: “I asked 10 target users, 3 said they would pay £X/month and why.”
MVP experiments (what you build now)
What is the smallest demo that proves value?
What is the success metric? (signup, meeting booked, purchase)
How fast can you test? (days, not months)
What will you change if it fails?
Evidence examples: landing page + signups, prototype link, user test recordings, pilot agreement.
What to upload as evidence for this step
10–30 interview notes (bullet points)
Survey results export (Google Forms)
Waitlist signups screenshot / CSV
Pilot user emails / messages
Competitor list + positioning notes
Landing page link + analytics
Pricing page / quote screenshots
Any early sales / invoices (if any)
Keep uploads short + readable. Endorsing bodies want signal, not 80 pages of fluff.
4) English (B2)
Choose proof route (test/degree/exemption) and upload evidence.
English requirement (B2)
You must prove English at B2 level (CEFR) unless you meet an official exemption.
This step helps you: understand what counts, book a valid test,
practice first, then upload your evidence.
What evidence is accepted?
Approved English test at the required level (UKVI/SELT route), or
Degree taught in English (with correct evidence / verification if required), or
Suggested flow: level test → weak skills → practice → book official test → upload evidence.
Upload evidence
Upload your English certificate / degree proof / exemption evidence using the uploader in this step.
Keep the file name clear (e.g. English_B2_Certificate.pdf).
Prepare a clean document pack. Typical requirements include:
Funds: usually £1,270 held for 28 days (rules depend on situation)
ID: passport + translations if needed
Endorsement letter (mandatory)
TB test if your country requires it
Upload bank statements, ID scans, translations, TB certificate here.
This step is your “evidence packing list”. Your goal is simple:
when you apply for endorsement / visa, you already have every document ready,
correctly formatted, correctly dated, and easy to upload.
The biggest reason people lose time is not the idea — it’s missing documents, wrong bank statement rules,
missing translations, or uploading the wrong file type.
Rule of thumb
For every item below, store one clean PDF (or clearly named image) + write a short note:
“what is it” + “why it matters” + “date range”.
Maintenance funds
You may need to show you have enough money to support yourself
(commonly shown via bank statements).
Typical pattern in UK visa routes: funds must be held for a continuous period (often 28 days)
and the statement must be recent.
Always verify the exact rules for the Innovator Founder route and your situation (partner / dependants / switching visa etc).
(You already have a dedicated English step — this box is just a quick “don’t forget” reminder.)
Upload-ready rules (make it painless)
Name files clearly: Step4_Funds_BankStatement_Jan2026.pdf
Prefer PDF (unless UKVI asks otherwise). Avoid blurry photos.
Keep 1 folder per step + 1 “Final upload” folder.
Write a short note inside your evidence item: what it proves + dates.
Pro tip: if a document is borderline, get a better one now.
Don’t wait until endorsement / visa submission week.
Mini checklist (copy into evidence notes)
Passport scan: clear + valid
English proof: test / degree / exemption evidence
Funds evidence: meets the rule + dates
TB test (if required)
Translations (if required)
Endorsement letter (comes later, but plan now)
6) Endorsing body
Shortlist authorised endorsers, track submission pack status, store confirmation emails.
Choose an authorised endorsing body and apply for endorsement.
This happens before the visa application.
Check endorsing body focus (sector / criteria)
Prepare required forms + evidence
Submit and respond to feedback
Upload endorsement emails, forms, submission receipts, etc.
This is the real gate. You don’t “apply for the visa” first — you apply to an
approved endorsing body and they decide if your business is
innovative, viable, and scalable.
Your job here is to pick the right endorsing body and submit a clean, complete endorsement package.
Order matters
Endorsement first. After you receive the endorsement letter, you submit the visa application.
How to choose the right endorsing body
Sector fit: they understand your industry (software, healthcare, climate, etc.)
Stage fit: idea vs MVP vs traction — match what they typically endorse
Evidence expectations: some want stronger traction or clearer innovation proof
Process + timelines: application steps, decision times, interview stages
Cost: endorsement fees (and what’s included)
Don’t apply “randomly”. Pick one where your evidence and stage match their pattern.
Your endorsement package (what to prepare)
Pitch deck (6–10 slides) + one-page plan
Innovation proof: what is truly new + why it matters
Competitive proof: alternatives + your defensible edge
Execution plan: 30/60/90 + 6/12 month milestones
Team proof: skills, roles, gaps, advisors, partnerships
Compliance awareness: UK legal/regulatory considerations (only what’s relevant)
What “innovation” usually means in practice
New mechanism: not just “AI” — what is the specific method/approach?
New market approach: unique channel, distribution, or customer access
New product experience: workflow improvement that is hard to replicate
New combination: combining tech + regulation + partnerships into a moat
Simple test: if a competitor can copy your “innovation” in 2 weeks, it’s not strong enough.
What to upload as evidence for this step
Shortlist of endorsing bodies + notes (why you chose them)
Your endorsement application pack (single PDF is best)
Any email threads / meeting notes / interview invites
Endorsement letter (when you get it) — this becomes required in Step 8
Pro tip: upload a “v1 endorsement pack” even before applying — you can keep improving it.
Type your modal title
Important order
You apply to an approved endorsing body first. Only after you receive an endorsement letter,
you submit the visa application.
Official endorsing bodies list source: GOV.UK (updated 1 Oct 2024).
If someone offers “endorsement” and they’re not on the official list, treat it as suspicious.
Typical costs (from GOV.UK)
£1,000 per person to apply for endorsement (paid to the endorsing body).
If endorsed + visa granted: mandatory contact point meetings at least twice; £500 per meeting.
Always confirm current pricing on the endorsing body website before paying.
Business endorsing bodies (can endorse NEW Innovator Founder applications)
Do they prefer MVP/traction? Do they interview? Required evidence strength?
Envestors Limited
Not detailed on GOV.UK — check their site.
Often investor-network style orgs expect strong commercial story.
What “innovation” means to them, growth plan expectations, finance assumptions they want.
The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)
Government programme for internationally mobile, tech-based entrepreneurs.
Only endorses founders invited onto the programme.
High-potential tech founders who can be accepted into GEP.
Eligibility criteria + whether you can realistically get invited (track record, scale plan, uniqueness).
Tip: If a body’s “specialisation” isn’t stated on GOV.UK, your safest move is to read their website
and compare their typical portfolio to your industry/stage before paying any fees.
How to choose the right endorsing body (practical checklist)
Sector fit: do they clearly support your category (e.g., software/AI, health, climate, education)?
Stage fit: idea vs MVP vs traction — match their pattern.
Evidence fit: do you have what they ask for (deck, traction proof, differentiation proof)?
Process fit: interviews, iteration rounds, timelines — can you handle it?
Risk fit: refund policy, admin fees, and what happens if they say “no”.
Endorsement letter once received (this becomes critical for the visa stage)
Source: GOV.UK endorsing bodies list (updated 1 Oct 2024). Fees and the “Business Endorsing Bodies” list are taken from that page.
Type your modal title
Legacy Innovator endorsing bodies (do not approach for new applications)
These organisations are listed as legacy — they no longer accept new Start-up/Innovator applications,
but can continue monitoring existing endorsed migrants.
Source: GOV.UK endorsing bodies list.
Important
Do not approach these bodies unless you are an existing endorsee.
Use them only as reference for understanding typical “endorser types” (accelerator, university, investor, etc.).
What “specialisation” means here
A short hint based on each organisation’s public positioning (accelerator / VC / university / sector cluster).
Always verify on their website before acting.
How to use this helper
Use this as pattern recognition (who tends to endorse what).
For your real plan: pick an approved current endorsing body that matches your sector + stage.
In your “Endorsing body” evidence upload: store shortlist notes, emails, pack drafts, receipts.
Notes with stronger public positioning: EF (talent investor), Wayra (Telefónica accelerator), Deep Science Ventures (venture creation),
Seedcamp (seed fund) — always confirm current programmes and focus.
Banks / enterprise programmes (typical: scaling support + mentoring)
Natwest Entrepreneur Accelerator
Bank-backed entrepreneur support programme (verify).
Royal Bank of Scotland Entrepreneur Accelerator
Bank-backed entrepreneur programme (verify).
Ulster Bank Accelerator
Bank accelerator (NI focus; verify).
Invest Northern Ireland
NI development agency; growth support (verify).
Advisory / consultants / specialist groups (typical: governance, compliance, board)
Blue Orchid Enterprise Solutions Ltd
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Boardroom Advisors
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Community and Business Partners
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Consilium Consulting
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
DRS Business Solutions
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Emsworth Corporate Planning (ECP)
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Queensbury Consulting
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Schoolgate Accounting Services
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
The Shropshire Incubator (Operated by European Innovation Ltd)
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Tech X
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
MDR LAB
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
MedCity
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
The Start-up Race
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Pall Mall Investments International
General advisory / ecosystem support (verify exact sector specialism).
Next step (inside your tool)
When you’re ready, we’ll add a separate “Endorsing body finder” tool:
current authorised endorsers + sector fit + checklist generator + upload slots.
7) Visa application
Fees, biometrics date, uploads, status timeline. Keep receipts + confirmations.
After endorsement, submit the visa application and upload documents correctly.
Pay fees
Book biometrics
Upload documents
Track decision
Upload application confirmation, receipts, biometrics appointment, etc.
You only do this step after you receive the endorsement letter.
This step is about submitting the visa application cleanly, paying the correct fees,
booking biometrics, and uploading the right documents in the right format.
Treat this like a checklist + evidence trail. If anything goes wrong, your saved receipts and confirmations
protect you.
Rule
Endorsement letter is the key document for Innovator Founder.
Without it, you should not submit the visa application.
1) Pay fees (and keep receipts)
Visa application fee(s)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), if required in your case
Any priority / super priority upgrades (optional)
Translation / document services (if used)
Save PDFs/screenshots of payments and the final submission confirmation.
2) Book biometrics (VAC/UKVCAS)
Choose a biometrics location and appointment date
Prepare identity document used in the application (passport/ID)
Keep appointment booking confirmation and attendance proof
3) Upload documents correctly
Typical upload groups (your exact list depends on your circumstances):
Endorsement letter (must-have)
Identity: passport/ID + any previous visas
English evidence (test / degree / exemption proof)
Maintenance funds evidence (if applicable) + statements format rules
TB test results (if applicable)
Translations + translator certification (if any docs are not in English/Welsh)
One of the most common mistakes is uploading the right doc under the wrong category,
or uploading screenshots that are unreadable. Use PDFs where possible.
4) Track decision + stay organised
Save application reference numbers
Track emails/updates (spam folder too)
Respond quickly if additional docs are requested
Keep a folder structure: 01_ID, 02_Endorsement, 03_English, 04_Funds, 05_TB
Upload your confirmation page + receipts here. This step becomes your “proof of submission”.
What to upload as evidence for this step
Visa application submission confirmation (PDF/screenshot)
Payment receipts (application fee + IHS if paid)
Biometrics appointment booking confirmation
Proof of attendance (if provided) or confirmation email after biometrics
Any Home Office / VAC messages requesting further documents
Once in the UK, you must actively work on the endorsed business and keep evidence.
Operate the business in line with the endorsed idea
Track users, revenue, pilots, partnerships
Keep proof of work (contracts, invoices, product updates)
This step starts after you receive the visa decision and you arrive in the UK (or switch status).
The main rule is simple: you must actually work on the endorsed business and keep proof of progress.
Think of this as “operational reality + evidence trail” — because endorsing bodies can check progress.
Reality rule
Innovator Founder is not “get visa then do nothing”.
You should be able to show real work on the business: product, customers, revenue, partnerships, hiring, pilots.
Endorsing bodies may require check-ins. You must show growth and progress evidence.
Milestones achieved
Customer traction
Revenue or pilots
Scaling progress
Upload reports, metrics screenshots, meeting notes, etc.
This step is about being audit-ready. Endorsing bodies can require checkpoint reviews.
Your job is to show that the endorsed business is moving forward with real traction.
If you keep evidence continuously, checkpoint meetings become simple: you just present a clean timeline of progress.
What they want to see
Evidence that you’re actively working on the endorsed business and it’s moving toward
innovation, viability, and scalability with measurable proof.
1) What to prepare for each checkpoint
One-page progress summary: what changed since last checkpoint
Milestones: planned vs completed (30/60/90 or monthly)
Product progress: releases, demos, features shipped
Market proof: interviews, pilots, user growth, conversions
This stage prepares you for extension and settlement (ILR) by tracking your business progress,
evidence, and compliance across checkpoint meetings with your endorsing body.
You must show that your business is still innovative, viable, and scalable,
and that you remain actively involved in running it.
What you must demonstrate
Ongoing innovation and product development
Customer traction or market validation
Revenue or commercial progress
Job creation or growth plan
Founder involvement and leadership
Compliance with endorsement conditions
Typical evidence to upload
Checkpoint meeting reports from endorsing body
Monthly or quarterly KPI reports
Customer contracts, invoices, or LOIs
Product updates, MVP screenshots, demo links
Financial statements and bank records
Hiring documents (if applicable)
Board or founder decision logs
Important: Do not wait until extension time to prepare this evidence.
You should collect and store proof continuously from month one.
Recommended checkpoint structure
Progress summary: what you built and achieved since last checkpoint