With a new funding network for legal tech startups, the Free State of Bavaria wants to further expand its High-tech agenda , which, with an investment volume of 3.5 billion euros, is intended to stimulate innovation throughout the country. Up to one million euros will now flow annually into the "Legal Tech Colab," founded on the initiative of the Bavarian Ministry of Justice and UnternehmerTUM. The establishment of the Legal Tech Colab is being supported by the TUM Venture Labs, an initiative for marketable applications in cutting-edge research by TUM and UnternehmerTUM.
“We want to become a leading Legal Tech Hub”
Bavaria's Minister of Justice George Eisenreich explains the newly founded initiative of his ministry:
"Even in litigation and legal services, people want convenient, simple, and cost-effective solutions. Legal Tech is therefore currently experiencing a strong boost. We want to seize the opportunities offered by digitalization and become a leading legal tech hub. That's why I'm delighted that we can launch our 'Legal Tech Colab' together with UnternehmerTUM."
The Legal Tech Colab aims to support innovative startups in the legal tech sector at all stages, such as Stefan Blenk, Managing Director of the Legal Tech Colab says:
"We help teams from developing a prototype, matching with suitable co-founders, market entry, to scaling the startup with venture capital through intensive support and expertise from 20 years of entrepreneurship and tech support at UnternehmerTUM."
Participating startups in the program will benefit from tailored support offerings, including access to a legal tech computing platform based on natural language processing (NLP), data storage, monthly scholarships of €1,000, workspaces at the Munich Urban Colab startup center, and access to global networks of companies and investors. Another goal is to connect with national and international companies and law firms from the digital business and legal tech sectors.
So far, difficult terrain for founders
Philipp Gerbert, Managing Director of TUM Venture Labs, says:
"Legal tech has been a challenging field for founders to date. With critical technologies like NLP platforms now available in German-speaking countries for the first time, we can offer dynamic and creative founding teams the best possible infrastructure for deep tech development. We invite law firms, corporate and government legal departments, as well as startups and tech enthusiasts to join us and benefit from the exchange within the ecosystem."
Bavaria’s Minister of Justice Eisenreich sees many advantages of a more digitalized Bavarian justice system:
"We want to seize the opportunities offered by digitalization. We are continuing to drive forward the digital initiative in the justice system: electronic legal transactions, e-files, video hearings, and legal tech projects. With the Legal and Justice Center Bavaria initiative and the Legal Tech think tank, we already have a strong network. We are now building the 'Legal Tech Colab' on this."
“Access to justice must be guaranteed for all citizens in the digital world”
He continues:
"Despite all the progress we've made, we're always keeping an eye on the risks of digitalization. That's why we're committed to greater legal certainty for consumers and businesses in legal tech at the legal policy level. When it comes to online legal services, we need transparency, a clear legal framework, and risk mitigation. Access to justice must also be guaranteed for all citizens in the digital world."
