LexLab – a center at UC Law San Francisco that focuses on law, technology, and innovation – announced recently that it partnered with gener8tor, Village Capital, and the Justice Technology Association for an accelerator program supporting justice tech startups. Launched in 2019, LexLab worked with over 100 entrepreneurs to hone their offerings and is recognized as a leader in accelerating legal technology startups.
For the Fall 2023 cohort, LexLab’s Justice Tech Accelerator will partner with the Justice Technology Association, a nonprofit trade organization supporting justice tech founders, and utilize gener8tor’s extensive experience and background in the sector. And Village Capital will also provide expertise on curriculum and network expansion. The accelerator aims to support early-stage for-profits, nonprofits, and social enterprises in the legal tech space with a mission to increase access to justice.
Justice tech companies improve the exercise of one’s legal rights, improve outcomes, and increase equity within a system often stacked against those who need help the most. And the LexLab Justice Tech 2023 Accelerator, a light-touch, hybrid program, will assist entrepreneurs in developing technologies that positively impact individuals and communities affected by the justice system and the access to justice gap.
Happening between September through November 2023, the 10-week justice tech cohort will address issues unique to the justice tech sector, including navigating regulatory roadblocks and impact measurement. And it will cover crucial areas for all early-stage companies, including product development, market fit, sales strategy, pitch refinement, and fundraising.
All the startups that apply to the program will be invited to join Abaca, which is Village Capital’s online global network that helps entrepreneurs articulate how ready they are for investment or their next big expansion. And the platform provides a diagnostic tool and matches them with relevant investors and resources. This program will culminate in a Demo Day on November 14, where entrepreneurs will showcase their work for investors and members of the justice tech community while competing for a grand prize award.
KEY QUOTES:
“There is a huge need to increase the availability and quality of legal services and tools in both the criminal and civil justice systems. We’re thrilled to be partnering with these amazing organizations in welcoming justice tech startups to the UC Law SF community, giving our students an opportunity to work with entrepreneurs committed to addressing the justice gap.”
— Drew Amerson, director of LexLab
“This level of collaboration in the sector is unprecedented. The program will unite the efforts of some of the most engaged and influential organizations and leaders in justice tech to focus on supporting entrepreneurs eager to tackle inequities in the justice system.”
— Claudius Taylor, Social Impact Program Manager of gener8tor, a nationally ranked venture capital firm and accelerator renowned for enabling transformative change in justice-impacted communities.
“Justice Technology Association is delighted to partner with LexLab, gener8tor and Village Capital to support the incredible justice tech founder community and elevate awareness of the opportunities in this rapidly growing sector.”
— Maya Markovich, executive director of Justice Technology Association
“We are thrilled to witness the emergence of justice tech-oriented accelerators in this space, which truly highlights the progressive growth of our ecosystem.”
— Elizabeth Nguyen, Economic Opportunity Practice Lead at Village Capital
