UK Innovator Founder Forum

Which endorsing body should I approach? UKES vs Innovator International vs Envestors

Endorsement is the gate. No endorsement letter, no application — so this is the decision most people get stuck on first.

Who can endorse a new application

The approved list has been cut repeatedly since the route launched in April 2023. As of the GOV.UK list updated 7 August 2026, the bodies that can endorse new Innovator Founder applications are:

  • UK Endorsing Services (UKES) — broad sector coverage
  • Innovator International — community-led assessment model
  • Envestors Limited — investment-led, weighted towards growth and investability
  • Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) — run by the Department for Business and Trade, invitation only, and restricted to Innovator Founder endorsements since 16 March 2026

Because GEP is invitation-only, in practice most applicants are choosing between three.

Legacy bodies are not an option

The list separates Business Endorsing Bodies from Legacy Innovator Endorsing Bodies. Legacy bodies can only continue supporting people they endorsed under the old Innovator route before 13 April 2023 — they cannot take you on now. Several once-listed bodies have been removed entirely, including SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain and Community and Business Partners. If someone offers to route you through one of these for a new application, treat it as a red flag.

What it costs

GOV.UK puts endorsement at £1,000, plus £500 for each mandatory contact point meeting — and there are at least two of those during your stay. Bodies set their own process on top of that, so check the published fee schedule before you commit.

Questions worth asking before you pay

  • What is the published assessment turnaround, and what has it actually been recently?
  • Is there a pre-assessment or triage stage, and is that fee refundable?
  • Do they have a track record in your sector?
  • What happens if they decline — can you reapply, and after how long?
  • What exactly do they expect at the 12 and 24 month meetings?

Share your experience below: which body, which sector, how long assessment took, the outcome, and the month it happened. Always check the current list on GOV.UK before applying — it changes.

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