A little clarity.
A confident next step.

Innovator Founder: Enter and maintain the endorsed Innovator Founder business route. Settlement · from 3 years: A fresh endorsement must confirm the required business achievements. Meet continuous-residence rules, normally no more than 180 days abroad in any twelve-month period, and the applicable knowledge-of-life requirements. British citizenship: Usually five years of UK residence and 12 months with settled status, ordinarily no more than 450 days abroad in five years and 90 in the final year. English, Life in the UK and good-character requirements apply. British spouses have a different basis. Settlement does not grant nationality. Even three-year settlement on Innovator Founder does not by itself make citizenship available in year four.

Obtain approved-body endorsement for the innovative, viable and scalable business, then apply online with identity, English and maintenance evidence. Attend identity/biometric steps as instructed. Maintain the founder role and endorsement monitoring, settlement needs a separate business-growth and residence assessment.

Age 18 or over, an active founder role, an endorsed business and English at B2. There is no universal fixed minimum investment.

A current endorsement, credible business plan and funding evidence, normally £1,270 held for 28 days for personal maintenance, unless exempt. Settlement requires fresh endorsement and additional tests.

A three-year visa, eligible dependants and a possible settlement application after three years if the separate business-growth and residence tests are met.