PickArt has reached a significant milestone: Timofey Zhitenev, one of PickArt's founders, has been granted a UK Innovator Founder visa following formal endorsement by Envestors and approval by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
The Innovator Founder route is reserved for individuals building genuinely innovative and scalable businesses in the UK. Securing endorsement requires independent assessment by an approved endorsing body — in this case Envestors, one of the UK's leading investment networks — before UKVI considers the application. The visa represents a dual vote of confidence: in Timofey as a founder, and in PickArt as a business with real potential for the UK market.
"I'm proud that both Envestors and the UK government believe in what we are creating," said Timofey.
Already Live in the UK
The endorsement formalises what is already underway. We launched in the UK ahead of Timofey's arrival, with multiple London venues now hosting curated collections of original art by British artists. The first three joined the network in September 2025: Sevente, a café, bar, and event space; The Ministry, a workspace and members' club; and Missionworks, a holistic coworking space in the city. Each venue now displays its own collection, with artworks available to guests via PickArt's QR-to-checkout system.
The London launch was led by Olivia Abando, PickArt's Curatorial Director, who assembled the initial portfolio of British artists and venue partners ahead of the founder's relocation.
The UK Opportunity
The UK expansion marks a natural next chapter for PickArt, which has spent the past months developing its model across Switzerland placing curated, locally sourced artworks in hotels, restaurants, and coworking spaces at no upfront cost to owners or managers. Guests encounter the works naturally and can purchase in a few taps via QR code, fundamentally changing how art is discovered and sold outside of gallery settings.
With London as our new base, PickArt aims to grow its network significantly over the coming years connecting British artists with hospitality and workspace venues across the country, and opening up new audiences and revenue streams for both.