American Tech Entrepreneur growing an innovative business and settling in the UK

Case Background: From US Tech Entrepreneur to proud UK Permanent Resident

1. Napala initially secured the Start-up Visa and progressed to the Innovator Founder Visa. This route was created by the UK government to attract the ‘the best and brightest’ global talent.
2. She is the founder and CEO of Habitual, an innovative medical technology business endorsed by Seedcamp. Habitual helps patients lose weight and achieve better health by combining proven weight loss interventions, including food and medications, with scalable, digital wraparound care. These programmes both privately as well as via the NHS for the national framework on type 2 diabetes remission.
3. Personally invested £10,000 into building this UK startup, and created many full-time jobs for local settled employees.
4. The business further secured £4 million in equity investment for research and development activities and to develop its intellectual property.
5. After just 3 years on the Innovator Founder Visa route, she is eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain provided she meets the Settlement Success criteria.

What is Habitual

Habitual is a pioneering UK health startup dedicated to helping individuals build lasting habits for better health and wellbeing. Through science-backed programmes, Habitual empowers its customers to make the small, daily choices that create long-term impact.

The platform provides the tools, support, and guidance needed to achieve and maintain better health—whether through sustainable weight loss or adopting healthier lifestyles more broadly.

At its core, Habitual’s mission is to enable people to transform their lives by making health not just a goal, but a lasting habit.

The Challenges

As the business expanded, it went through a series of major transitions, including restructuring, a sale, and an acquisition, that ultimately transferred the directorship to a new company.

While these shifts were necessary steps in the company’s growth journey, they created a complex picture that needed careful explanation.

The challenge was to present this unique business scenario in a clear and persuasive way, demonstrating to the Home Office that every change remained fully compliant with Innovator Founder Visa requirements and that the client continued to meet the criteria for Settlement Success.

How QC Immigration Helped

When Napala approached QC Immigration, she needed a strategy for meeting all the Indefinite Leave to Remain requirements, and a fast turnaround. We worked with her to:

• Obtain a compliant Endorsement Letter from the legacy endorsing body.
• Respond to the Home Office’s scrutiny with extensive data and documentation.
• Showcase her professional achievements, economic contributions, and deep social connections in the UK.
• Emphasise her professional standing and good faith, highlighting her ability to support herself without public funds and her value as an asset to the UK.
• Highlight her good character with positive immigration history.

By framing her case around her positive contribution to UK society, we built a compelling narrative that addressed every potential concern.

The Outcome: A Successful Startup and Indefinite Leave to Remain

Napala combined her US experience with the UK’s thriving tech ecosystem and talent pool to turn her innovative idea into a significant success for the UK community. In just three years, she not only built a business from the ground up in a new country but also scaled it at remarkable speed. Her journey is a true reflection of the UK government’s vision to attract and nurture world-class tech talent.

Why Clients Like Napala Choose QC Immigration

The entrepreneurial journey is full of risks, uncertainties, and personal sacrifice.

Clients like Napala trust QC Immigration because we understand both the challenges and the opportunities that come with building a life and business in the UK.

It was our privilege to guide her and Habitual through the final hurdle, securing the Indefinite Leave to Remain status she truly deserves after her significant contributions.

If you’re planning to grow your career or business in the UK, QC Immigration provides the expert, practical guidance you need, every step of the way.