Building the UK’s Global Tech Hub - Insights from Visa Endorsing Bodies (Panel & Networking)
We’re organising a panel event with the endorsing bodies for the UK Innovator, Scale-up, and Global Talent visas, followed by networking.
Join us to exchange ideas, connect with entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, and explore hot topics on attracting and supporting international tech talent in the UK.
Agenda
Arrivals (6:00 – 6:30 PM)
Welcome, nibbles, and drinks.
Panel Discussion (6:30 – 7:30 PM)
Panel topic: Building the UK’s Global Tech Hub: Insights from Visa Endorsing Bodies
What will be discussed:
What Ecosystem Builders Need to Know – Updates on visa pathways, evolving roles and criteria, and how incubators, accelerators, and networks can align with the UK’s goal to attract and support global tech entrepreneurs.
Tech Talent We Attract – Who is coming under current rules, which talent are deterred, and where support gaps remain for international tech talent.
National Agenda vs. Current Rules – How the UK’s immigration framework affects moonshots, AI, quantum, and other R&D-heavy technologies.
Integration into the UK Tech Landscape – How international talent builds connections, accesses resources, and embeds into the ecosystem.
From Endorsement to Scale – Lessons and strategies for supporting founders from visa endorsement through to business growth and scaling.
Networking (7:30 – 9:00 PM)
Continue the conversation over nibbles and drinks in an informal setting with peers committed to collaboration, shared success, and building a stronger, more innovative economy.
Who should attend
This event is designed for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders – individuals and organisations whose core mission is to drive startup or corporate innovation, support the development of the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and strengthen innovation communities.
Whether you’re leading or sponsoring an accelerator, venture builder, corporate innovation team, policymaking body, university innovation office, innovation agency, or other venture support organisation, your work is vital in helping founders and businesses launch, grow, innovate, and succeed.
Organisers
Connected.Ventures | Tech Nation | Envestors | Innovator International | The Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP)
Host
The event is kindly hosted by IDEALondon, UCL Engineering’s vibrant hub for deeptech and digital innovation in the heart of Shoreditch. IDEALondon is powered by WilbeLAB, a scientist-led platform and venture studio that helps science, deep tech, and engineering companies find, design, and run their laboratory and workspace environments.
Panellists
Tech Nation – Global Talent Visa
Panellist: Fernanda Huerta
LinkedIn
Fernanda leads the Global Talent Visa Programme, overseeing the UK’s Global Talent route for exceptional tech founders and experts. With a background spanning public, private, and third sectors across Mexico, Europe, and the UK, she brings extensive experience in high-profile programmes and international stakeholder engagement.
About Tech Nation
Website
Tech Nation is a UK growth platform for tech entrepreneurs and leaders. It runs programmes that help scale-ups expand, provides research and insights on the UK tech sector, and builds connections across the ecosystem. As the endorsing body for the Global Talent visa in digital technology, Tech Nation also supports exceptional international founders, senior operators, and technical experts to build their careers and companies in the UK.
Envestors – Innovator and Scale-up Visas
Panellist: Scott Haughton
LinkedIn
Scott is Founding Director and COO of Envestors, a UK fintech and leading endorsing body for the Home Office/UKVI. He leads Envestors’ contracts for the Innovator Founder visa and Scale-up Sponsor Licence, through which the organisation has processed over 1,500 visa applications and endorsed 500+ international businesses. With a background in fundraising, investment networks, and scaling ventures, Scott brings deep expertise on how overseas founders can access finance, land in the UK, and grow successfully within the ecosystem.
About Envestors
Website
Envestors is a UK fintech connecting high-growth companies with investors through its award-winning Envestry™ platform and private investor network. It has facilitated over £200m into 500+ ventures and delivered multiple successful exits. Appointed by the Home Office as an endorsing body, Envestors leads the Innovator Founder visa and Scale-up Sponsor Licence, supporting international entrepreneurs to establish and scale their businesses in the UK.
Innovator International – Innovator and Scale-up Visas
Panellist: Richard Harrison
LinkedIn
Richard, Co-founder of Innovator International, combines extensive experience in innovation and engineering with a passion for entrepreneurial growth. His expertise shapes the organisation’s strategic direction and supports its mission to drive impactful advancements in business and technology.
About Innovator International
Website
Innovator International is a UK Home Office–approved endorsing body for the Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas. It works with entrepreneurs from every sector and region to establish and scale ventures in the UK. Each founder receives a bespoke programme covering areas such as sales strategy, sector-specific expertise, and transition support. With a strong track record in visa endorsement and business growth, Innovator International helps innovative businesses thrive in the UK ecosystem.
Connected.Ventures
Panellist: Natalia Loza
LinkedIn
Natalia is the founder of Connected.Ventures, a curated non-profit community of 300+ entrepreneurial ecosystem builders and organisations in the UK. Connected.Ventures provides tools, networking opportunities, tailored support, and strategic guidance – all with the mission of amplifying connectivity, collaboration, and impact within the innovation ecosystem. An exited technology founder and connector, Natalia frequently serves as an advisor, delegate, mentor, and speaker for leading innovation organisations, including Techstars, Startup Bootcamp, Foundervine, OneTech, and Barclays.
The Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP)
Panellist: Matt Young
Head of Operations - Global Entrepreneur Programme.
About the Global Entrepreneur Programme
Website
The Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP), run by the Department for Business and Trade, helps internationally mobile, tech-based entrepreneurs scale and internationalise their innovation-rich companies from a UK global HQ. GEP provides visa endorsements only for founders invited to participate in its programme.