LexLab Announces Groundbreaking Program to Support Justice Tech Startups
LexLab, a center at UC Law San Francisco that focuses on law, technology, and innovation, is joining forces with gener8tor, Village Capital, and the Justice Technology Association for a groundbreaking accelerator program supporting justice tech startups.
Launched in 2019, LexLab has worked with over 100 entrepreneurs to hone their offerings and is recognized as a leader in accelerating legal technology startups.
“There is a huge need to increase the availability and quality of legal services and tools in both the criminal and civil justice systems,” said Drew Amerson, director of LexLab. “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.”
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 leverage gener8tor’s extensive experience and background in the sector. 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.
“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,” said 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,” said Maya Markovich, executive director of Justice Technology Association.
Justice tech companies improve or open access to the exercise of one’s legal rights, improve outcomes, and increase equity within a system often stacked against those who need help the most. 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.
Running from 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. Additionally, it will cover crucial areas for all early-stage companies, including product development, market fit, sales strategy, pitch refinement, and fundraising.
All startups that apply to the program will be invited to join Abaca, Village Capital’s online global network that helps entrepreneurs articulate how ready they are for investment or their next big expansion. The platform provides a diagnostic tool and matches them with relevant investors and resources. The 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.
“We are thrilled to witness the emergence of justice tech-oriented accelerators in this space, which truly highlights the progressive growth of our ecosystem,” said Elizabeth Nguyen, Economic Opportunity Practice Lead at Village Capital.
Interested startups and entrepreneurs can learn more and submit an application here.
About LexLab
LexLab is an academic center at UC Law San Francisco with a mission to prepare business-savvy lawyers who will shape the future of the legal profession by teaching the skills necessary to challenge the status quo as technology and globalization accelerate change in the delivery of legal services.
www.lexlab.uchastings.edu | lexlab@uclawsf.edu
About gener8tor
gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, founders, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities and nonprofits to operate programs in more than 41 communities across 22 states and two countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022.
About Justice Technology Association
The Justice Technology Association empowers the consumer legal experience by supporting changemakers who build technology to increase equity in the legal system.
www.justicetechassociation.org | info@justicetechassociation.org
About Village Capital
Village Capital is reinventing the system to back the entrepreneurs of the future. Known for its groundbreaking approaches to supporting founders who are building solutions to emergent social, economic, and environmental challenges, VilCap unlocks critical social and financial capital for early-stage companies to maximize business and impact growth. Village Capital has operated in the US since 2009 by running over 45 accelerator programs. VilCap has supported more than 897 startups from over 43 states and 23 entrepreneur support organizations (ESO) working in sectors such as financial health, health equity, justice tech, and sustainability. Learn more at www.vilcap.com and follow @villagecapital.