Hi
I have a business idea that I wish to apply for the innovator visa but I want to make sure the idea will pass. Is there any way to check without spending £1,000 with endorsing body?
Any advice welcome thanks!
Presumably you mean the Innovator Founder visa (the Innovator Visa is no longer available) because that’s the one that costs £1,000 per validation.
There’s no way to check your idea will meet the criteria without applying to an endorsing body.
I think the biggest challenge for people will be Innovation. Is your business innovative? Can you let us know what industry your business is in?
I mean innovator founder of course. My business is innovative because I have made the business generate £500,000 a year by myself in 2 years. I sell products locally and overseas.
If there is no way to check, how can I be sure I will not waste £1,000? Will they tell us why we do not pass?
Unfortunately, generating £500K in and of itself is not innovative and nor is selling locally/overseas. Unless your product(s) are innovative and created by you, I don’t see how you’d meet the innovation requirement.
The only way to confirm is by applying. It will cost you £1K but you will get feedback on what issues you have and you can apply again after that. I have it directly from an Endorsing Body that they will not give you sufficient information to simply modify your business plan and resubmit to pass.
I am selling food products but they are not made by myself they are popular but very little export and can supply to many expat communities. Some like buttain has very little competition in England and can be unique and unusual. I am already exporting to some countries and demand is high.
Please, how many times can I apply to endorsing body?
It’s great you’re doing so well but unfortunately you’ve not mentioned anything “innovate”.
Without trying to sound rude, your business seems to be just selling food. Selling food is done everywhere in the world already and so is not innovative.
If I’m correct, Buttain is a food product that can be made by anyone so there is very little innovation in the product too.
I believe you can apply to an endorsing body as many times as you like but my understanding is that you will be under more scrutiny the more you apply.
Innovation is generally something technology based. Perhaps a new design or a new product. Even the application of technology in a new way.
From the Home Office guidance:
Unfortunately selling products is far short of the innovation requirement.
Thank you for your reply