The university of Greenwich start-up visa scheme was open to the university’s graduates who wanted to develop their entrepreneurial skills and ideas by establishing an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK.
Closure of the Start-Up route
The Start-up visa route will be closing on July 13th, 2023. The final deadline for endorsement applications was Friday 27th January at midday
From April 13th, 2023 until July 13th, 2023, you can only apply under this route if you have received an endorsement letter before April 13th 2023.
The Government have introduced a new Innovator Founder Route. For more information please check the Home Office Guidance.
Start-Up endorsement
The university has been proud to be an endorsing body for the Start-up visa. Under this scheme, we have assessed business plans and endorsed eligible candidates to apply for a Start-Up visa.
Business plans were be assessed against the following criteria:
- Innovation – you have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage
- Viability – your business plan is realistic and achievable and you have or you are actively developing the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to successfully run the business
- Scalability – you can evidence structured planning and potential for job creation and growth into national markets
The University of Greenwich Generator carried out the assessments and provided support to students in developing their businesses after completion of their study.
Generator works with students and graduates from all faculties within the university. Its mission is to work with students and graduates who have ideas they want to pursue, as well as running business challenges, workshops and delivering university-wide entrepreneurship initiatives.
All candidates for the Start-Up visa were required to enter the Enterprise Challenge.
Your obligations under the Start-Up scheme
If you have a Start Up Visa, you are required to maintain contact with the university and Generator during your time on the Start-Up visa. We are required to regularly check on the progress of your business development.
You are allowed to undertake employment on this visa, but you must spend the majority of your time developing your business ventures.