Start-up and Innovator visas – updated list of endorsing bodies

On 1st May 2019 the Home Office published updated lists of endorsing bodies for the Start-up visa and for the Innovator visa categories.

A link to the list of endorsing bodies for the Start up visa is here.

A link to the list of endorsing bodies for the Innovator visa is here.

What are the changes comparing to the previously published lists of endorsing bodies?

In addition to the names of the authorised endorsing organisations, the new lists now also include some basic information on what types of businesses may be accepted on their programmes, when the endorsing process will start and whether external applicants (those who are not part of the accelerator programmes) will be accepted. Unfortunately, the information is still far from comprehensive and, for some of the listed endorsing bodies, the list has no information at all. Nevertheless, it is a good starting point and even these basic details are useful for applicants who are confused about the new requirement for endorsement.

There are also a few new endorsing bodies added to the lists. The newly added authorised endorsing bodies are listed below:

• Level39 – Level39 only endorses those involved in FinTech, cyber security, smart cities, retail tech and other globally ambitious tech business.
• MDR LAB – MDR LAB is an accelerator for tech start-ups in the legal space. We only endorse migrants accepted onto our 10-week May-July programme.
• Techstars – Techstars is the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. Techstars runs two accelerator programs in London
• Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator

Source: https://www.cartercamerons.com