Mishcon de Reya has today (18 January) launched a technology incubator programme – MDR LAB – for tech startups, that will see the UK top 35 law firm welcome a number of startups into the business for a ten week period in summer 2017.
Launched in conjunction with innovation specialists and early stage investors L Marks, MDR LAB is open to early stage and growth technology start-ups. Applications are welcomed from companies at concept through to revenue-generating stage, as long as the product or service is applicable to the legal industry.
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work within their target market to pilot and improve products and to gain a better understanding of how legal services are provided and where lawyers – and their clients – would benefit from new technologies. They will have access to Mishcon de Reya lawyers and other business experts throughout the firm for advice, mentorship and education.
In addition, those chosen to participate in MDR LAB will have access to Mishcon de Reya’s legal and business networks with opportunities for attracting investment and/or licensing products to Mishcon de Reya.
The firm is particularly interested in innovations that relate to litigation, transactional law, business law and ‘wildcard’ – innovative ideas that don’t fit into any of those categories. Chief strategy officer Nick West (pictured) said: “MDR LAB is part of Mishcon de Reya’s broader technology strategy and is one of a number of R&D projects designed to help us better understand and embrace new technologies.
“Innovation is happening across our industry and we want to be a the forefront of it. We are looking forward to hearing from the disruptors.”