Applications for MDR LAB’s Improve programme are now open. In its original format, the programme ran once a year from 2017-2019 but has now transitioned to run twice a year alongside an expanded suite of support for early-stage legaltech companies.
Improve is a 12-week programme where start-ups are selected to work closely with and observe people across Mishcon de Reya to accelerate their knowledge of the problem space that they are working in. Mishcon act as initial users of the product and provide regular feedback, enabling rapid prototyping and product development.
The programme is designed to give successful applicants a unique opportunity to gain unparalleled access to their target users and market and give startups a quicker path to product market fit.
“Our participation in MDR LAB was a huge accelerant for our product development, and it provided a fantastic environment for us to innovate alongside Mishcon’s lawyers, who were extremely generous with their time and energy and visionary in their tech ambitions” (James Ding, CEO, DraftWise)
To date, MDR LAB has worked with 19 legaltech start-ups, who have cumulatively raised over £35m of funding and are collectively valued at over £130m. Mishcon has adopted 8 of these products on a commercial license for use across the business, with some alumnus signing multiyear deals in less than 3 months of completing the programme.
In addition, Mishcon de Reya has invested in 3 of the companies so far:
- TimebyPing: a time automation company, which automates lawyers’ timesheets, ensuring more billable time is captured.
- Everchron: a litigation case management company, which streamlines case preparation.
- Thirdfort: a digital onboarding app, which reduces ID fraud and speeds up client onboarding. Mishcon has invested in Thirdfort a number of times since 2018 who have now grown headcount to 65 and have around 600 clients.
The application window for the Autumn programme will close on 27th August. The programme will start in October and run until January 2022. We are looking forward to welcoming companies back into our office’s, pending UK government guidelines. For companies unable to join us in our offices, remote or hybrid participation in the programme will still be fully supported. We recommend applying as soon as possible as we are filling cohorts on a rolling basis.
Apply here: Improve Autumn 2021 application form
For more on MDR LAB visit our website, and for any queries in relation to the programme or application process, please contact MDR.LAB@mishcon.com
