The organisation of Legal Tech Startup Awards 2018 has announced the startups for the semi-final today. On 24 May 2018, in the office of the Council of State (Raad van State) in the Hague, eight semi-finalists shall battle for a coveted place in the final.
The Legal Tech Startup Awards 2018 is a competition for technological startups with potential for the legal sector. From a total of 22 entries from home and abroad, eight technological startups were selected, because of their focus on the legal sector, the degree of innovation, the impact on legal work processes and the entrepreneurial skills of the founders.
The semi-finalists
Each year, Legal Tech Startup Awards searches for starters of technologies which are valuable for the legal sector. In the last few months, 22 technological starters have contacted the organisation. After a critical assessment made by the expert jury, the following startups have been selected for the big day on 24 May 2018: Skotty (NL), Predictice (FR), Schadewacht (NL), Rechtsontwikkeling (NL), Contract Mill (FIN), Blockschainstichting (NL), IAM4 (NL) and LeReTo KG (AT). The organisers have been surprised by the diversity of the applications and also by the international character of the entries. They are confident that tools and techniques will be presented which change something fundamentally in the work process of a legal professional.
Council of State venue for semi-final
The semi-final takes place on Thursday 24 May 2018 in the Hague. The Ballroom of the Council of State (Raad van State) at Palace Kneuterdijk is the location where the selected innovative startups will make their pitches. Quintin Schevernels – eminent speaker on the subject of innovation and growth – shall provide a stimulating framework to this afternoon. Who ultimately goes through to the final during PLEIT2018 on Tuesday 5 June 2018 will be determined by the experienced expert jury and the public; selectively invited from within the legal domain.
Jury
The jury consists of Bart Jan Ettekoven (Council of State), Hans Albers (Juniper Networks), Ruben Alderse Baas (AB Advocaat, NOvA) and the organisers themselves: Claudia Heemskerk (Event Manager PLEIT), Hendri van Norden (Partner Lexxyn Groep), Rens Rozekrans (Partner Risk & Regulatory KPMG), Jelle van Veenen (initiator Dutch Legal Tech), Jeroen Zweers (Innovation Director Kennedy Van der Laan | Sync), Richard Faas (Director of Innovation & head of the Legal Tech Studio ARAG) and Peter Backx (Segment Director Legal & Tax Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory Nederland). Experts who have a successful track record in the legal sector.