Tech Nation, the UK Government-backed growth platform for tech startups, has named three legal tech companies as part of a 20-strong group that will join its International Growth Programme, which is focused on expansion into Southeast Asia and Australia. The companies are: Avvoka, Cognitiv+, and Robin AI – all of which Artificial Lawyer has covered before.
The four-month programme forms part of the Government’s Digital Trade Network, an initiative to ‘support the tech sector and accelerate the growth of the UK’s best tech scaleups into international markets, creating jobs and economic growth here in the UK’.
It will provide:
- market intelligence and market entry support,
- match-making with overseas investors and business opportunities,
- access to Tech Nation’s international network of people who have successfully scaled overseas,
- online masterclasses led by industry experts to equip the legal tech companies with knowledge of the new APAC market across Talent, Operations, Government & Business Development,
- mentorship, where each legal tech company will be matched with an industry expert based in-region who can help with connections and market knowledge,
- go-to-market strategy support with a dedicated go-to-market specialist,
- business development and networking sessions (both in-person and online),
- And a trip to Singapore or Australia (dependent on programme) to meet partners and potential customers.
Companies joining the programme have been selected based on strict criteria that demonstrate aptitude for scaling internationally, and were assessed by technology and trade specialists. Tech Nation received more than 120 applications for the programme, they said.
As to why the focus on the Asia-Pacific region, they added that: ‘Within the next 20 years, Asia is estimated to make up half of global GDP and 40% of global consumption. 73% of General Counsel and lawyers for companies in the Asia-Pacific region who have adopted legal tech indicated that they would like to step up their use of technology. ‘
Gerard Grech, Founding CEO of Tech Nation, said: ‘Having just got back from the APAC region and seen first-hand the fast-moving internet economy in the region, I am delighted that we are supporting 20 of the UK’s high growth scaleups with their expansion into Australia and Southeast Asia.
‘The UK is punching above its weight for digital service exports, but has a way to go to catch global leaders like the US and India. UK tech companies like those on this cohort have the global mindset to ensure UK tech is successful overseas and maintains its competitiveness on the global stage.’
Unlike many other markets, the UK Government is actively supporting the growth of the legal tech sector with multiple projects, which includes the work of the LawtechUK group, and it is providing significant financial resources, such as grants via Innovate UK.
And here’s some more detail about the three companies:
Avvoka (London) – Avvoka has been selected for the International Growth Programme 3.0 for Australia
‘Avvoka is a document automation, negotiation and analytics tool designed to help law firms, in-house legal teams and businesses draft documents, negotiate them, and leverage data insights from that process to draft better documents, and get to “yes” faster.’
Cognitiv+ (London) – Cognitiv+ has been selected for the International Growth Programme 3.0 for Southeast Asia
‘Cognitiv+ is the artificial intelligence platform that empowers businesses and law firms with deeper insights into their legal data. Cognitiv+ extracts data from contracts, policies and legislation and provides actionable knowledge for your company.’
Robin AI (London) – Robin AI has been selected for the International Growth Programme 3.0 for Southeast Asia
‘Robin AI makes contracts simple using a combination of proprietary software and machine learning to re-imagine how contracts are drafted, negotiated and used. What makes Robin AI unique in the world of legal technology is that they understand and appreciate the capabilities of AI. Comprehending even simple contracts is sometimes difficult, so they pair their AI tool with expert legal professionals that validate the work of their technology. They call it AI+.’
Good luck to them!