5 startup accelerators that boost your UK visa chances

The United Kingdom is home to over 30 startup accelerators that provide pre-seed funding to entrepreneurs in return for equity. Every year, they attract thousands of applicants from around the world, competing for a handful of positions in each programme.

Many applicants are from outside the European Union. So if that’s you, read on…

As a non-European entrepreneur you will not only need to beat the competition to get into the accelerator. You’ll also need a visa if the accelerator requires you to stay in the UK during the programme.

Here’s the thing:

There are five accelerators in the UK that can potentially give you an advantage in the visa process. These accelerators can not only support your application to enter the UK, but will significantly lower the amount of investment funds needed to secure a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa.

The entrepreneur visa normally requires £200,000 in investment funds, but because these accelerators are ‘endorsed’ by the UK government, the amount drops to £50,000.

The accelerators are…

1. Techstars London

The Techstars London seed investment programme runs out of the Warner Yard co-working space in Clerkenwell. They’ve had 32 startups run through the UK programme with close to 200 alumni in the US. So far, 73 companies have been acquired and over $1.6B raised.

What’s on offer?
$18,000 in seed funding, plus $100,000 in convertible debt for 7-10% equity.

How long?
3 month programme

Entrepreneur visa used by (example):
Print to Peer, Canada

2. Oxygen Accelerator

One of Europe’s most established tech accelerators is Oxygen Accelerator. Having accelerated 46 startups both past and present with a 71% funding rate, it runs two programmes a year, in two different locations, usually in Birmingham and in London.

What’s on offer?
Oxygen take 8% in equity and invests funds in two batches:
1. A ‘founders investment’ of up to £18,000; made up of £6,000 per founder, capped at 3 founders.

3. Seedcamp

4. Wayra

5. Collider

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