LS Legal News Bulletin
Innovator Founder: Successful Business Examples that Meet Home Office Criteria
Wednesday 7th June 2023
We want to share some information about the Innovator Founder visa and what Home Office deems as meeting the Innovation criteria. While the same tests for Innovation, Viability and Scalability are being applied, the Home Office is taking a fresh view of which ideas and approaches will succeed.
The refusal rates after being endorsed were almost 50% in the last quarter, so the Home Office refused about half of the people who got endorsed. The Home Office applies its independent view even if someone has been endorsed.
Some business plan proposals that do not meet the Innovation standard include outsourcing the innovation element and generic businesses with only incidental innovation.
Based on the Home Office guidance, an individual who is part of a founding team commercialising a new engine efficiency technology from a University research program would meet the Innovation criteria. The Home Office views partnerships with Universities as a credible factor.
On the contrary, an individual who is the sole founder seeking endorsement for establishing an "EdTech" company that uses an AI-based platform to teach those under 18s a subject and lacks expertise in AI or a team member with competence in this area would not meet the Innovation criteria, as per the Home Office guidance.
Partnerships are not always straightforward as they introduce potential complications, not least when it comes to the success criterion. It is not enough to augment your business idea with something to do with EdTech or AI, especially where you do not have the technical background.
We hope this information is helpful for those looking to apply for the Innovator Founder visa or those switching to it. Please keep this in mind as you navigate your immigration process, and do not hesitate to contact us for guidance and assistance.
