I’m considering applying for the Tech Nation Visa under the Exceptional Promise category and would appreciate your thoughts on whether my profile seems like a good fit. Here’s a summary of my background and potential application:
About Me
23-year-old tech founder
Built a startup that raised $150K and generated $12.5K in revenue
Developed 4 products and engaged with over 500 users
Backed by Techstars (one of the fast-track accelerators listed)
Planned Application Details
Mandatory Criterion: Recognition as a potential leading talent
Evidence: Acceptance into Techstars accelerator program, Incorporation documents, last set of audited accounts, Investment documents.
Optional Criteria:
Innovation as a founder of a product-led digital technology company
Evidence: Details of 4 products developed, including:
The initial feeling from what you have described it looks highly promising.
Especially the github stars and being accepted in an accelerator.
I have a feeling you should be able to add more evidences based on what you said and make it upto 10 evidences to present an strong overall case. Some ideas :
Consider including a financial projection as well, since your current revenue is $12.5K. My thought is that they might consider $12.5K too low and would want to know if your startup is promising and maybe whether you can pay yourself from it.
Ensure you show depth in all your evidences with specially your contribution in what your have mentioned eg/ the fund-raise, revenue increase, product development and user increase.
Your own personal contribution should be clear and backed by variety of supporting elements like news mentions, snapshots of the product/any customer testimonials, growth forecasts. You should also add a few support letters towards specific criteria evidences for validation of your claims.
TN loves numbers hence it’s important to show quantified impact all across the application.
I have two news publication in German talking about us.
I can add metrics and dashboards:
Our meeting extension has been used for over 3000hours by over 350users
Our terraform visualizer has been called over 4000 times for over 1000 IP’s
We also have nice reviews on our extension which I can include, and we’ve been featured in the newsletter one of the most important influencers in our space.
Regarding revenue and forecasts.
We have recently decided to close down the company, which is also why I’m moving to London next. I have enough money to sustain myself for 3 years though, but I’m not sure how to share that in the application.