A legal platform aiming to place employment rights back into workers’ hands has secured £2m in seed funding.
Edinburgh-based Valla will use the funds to continue its mission to democratise access to justice for millions across the UK.
The company will also expand its market reach, look to create additional AI-powered tools and attempt to forge further alliances with unions and insurers.
The firm’s AI-powered solution has caught the attention of leading investors, including Ada Ventures, who led the round alongside Active Partners and Portfolio Ventures. Techstart Ventures, who led the company’s first round, and existing backer Resolution Foundation also participated.
Valla is tackling the challenge of the 12.4m workers who are affected by non-compliance with employment laws annually, yet find themselves priced out of traditional legal support.
The platform aims to simplify the legal process by enabling users to collect evidence, generate necessary documentation and get fixed-price expert support without incurring stereotypical substantial costs.
“The legal world is experiencing its own watershed moment, AI is completely redrawing who can access justice – but ordinary people are being left behind,” said Danae Shell, founder of Valla.
“We’re flipping this on its head by putting powerful, tailor-made legal tools directly into workers’ hands, not just those with deep pockets.”
Since launch, Valla has helped over 12,000 workers to successfully raise complaints, negotiate settlements and navigate the complex tribunal process with confidence.
Demand for the platform’s affordable services have more than doubled year on year, with costs ranging from £10 to £250.
Check Warner, founding partner at Ada Ventures, added: “Valla exemplifies precisely the kind of game-changing vision we’re passionate about supporting.
“They’ve spotted a vast, overlooked market and used emerging technology to create an innovative new solution that was impossible even a few years ago.
“As AI reshapes traditional legal billing models, Valla’s transparent, accessible approach perfectly positions them to become the definitive platform for workplace rights.”
The company also recently received a £75,000 Innovate UK award and has been backed by a large number of industry experts and veterans.