Advance
What is the programme?
Advance is a bespoke programme of relationship-building and business growth modules for entrepreneurs who are ready to scale and grow internationally.
The programme aims to help innovators to scale their businesses, expand their networks into the UK, and further develop their leadership skills within the LIF community.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be working on an innovation that meets the theme of 'Accessibility, Assistive, and Inclusive Technologies'. We are encouraging members of the LIF alumni community (LIF 1-7, LIF Global 22-25), as well as other entrepreneurs working on solutions that meet the criteria from the following countries: Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Türkiye, Vietnam.
What should I know before I sign-up for the programme?
When attending a LIF event:
- We will accommodate people who need accessibility adjustments
- We will provide a prayer room
- We will provide halal food, vegetarian food, and cater for any dietary requirement/allergies
- We will provide ensuite rooms (no shared bathrooms) to any participants entitled to a hotel room
What kind of innovations fall under the themes?
The main eligibility criteria and thematic eligibility criteria for the programme are set out in the above sections. In general, you should ask yourself whether your innovation helps to establish a more inclusive and equitable society through innovation.
If you are still unsure, you are welcome to contact the LIF team at [email protected] to discuss your application. As with LIF Global, Advance does not accept innovations with a primary application in the defence, military, or fossil-fuel-based energy sectors.
What are the benefits of the programme?
The Advance programme can help to:
- Assess where you and your business are
- Boost your confidence and soft-skills
- Enhance your leadership and entrepreneurial skills
- Strengthen your business strategy
- Improve your engineering processes
- Map UK networks, collaborations, and partnerships
- Learn to measure and communicate your impact and outcomes
- Connect with an exceptional and likeminded community of Alumni
What are the key dates?
Applications for Advance 2026 closed on 7 October 2025 at 1pm (BST).
How is the review process?
Applications to Advance 2026 will first be checked for eligibility by Academy staff members. Eligible applications will go to a Selection Panel, comprising of Fellows of the Academy and other experts who will perform an in-depth review into the application, including reviewing the innovation, business, and reasons for wanting to participate. Sometimes, some candidates may be contacted for further information that is required by the Selection Panel before they can make their decision.
The Selection Panel will consider:
- Adherence to all entry and eligibility requirements
- The potential social, economic, or environmental benefit of the innovation to socially excluded groups
- The benefit that Advance could provide for the applicant, their business and/or their team
What reporting requirements will be expected of me throughout the duration of the award?
We expect you to be responsive and communicative with your mentor and Academy staff throughout the duration of the programme. We want to hear about our alumni’s success and challenges so we can best support them in their commercialisation journey.
What are the expected outcomes of the programme?
Innovators who have competed the Advance programme are expected to have:
- Enhanced their soft-skills and confidence
- Liaised and engaged with a network of contacts
- Designed bespoke pitch-decks fit to different audiences
- Developed a deeper understanding of their IP, products, and engineering processes
- Built a supportive community
- Strengthened their teams
- Developed an understanding of the market and future opportunities
- Created metrics and impact measurements to monitor and evaluate performance
What is the Global Talent Visa?
The Global Talent visa is a UK immigration category designed for talented and promising individuals from the fields of science, engineering, medicine and humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture, who wish to continue their professional career in the UK.
The visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to five years, and you can extend the visa after this period, or apply for settlement.
Alumni of the Advance programme are eligible to apply for the fast-track Global Talent Visa under route two, through the endorsement of the Academy for the UK's Home Office.