Devally Raises €2M to Tackle Europe's New Accessibility Law

New Accessibility Standards Drive Demand for Tech-Based Compliance Solutions

A significant number of businesses serving the EU’s 450 million consumers are now required to adhere to updated accessibility standards that became effective in June. Similar to the impact of GDPR, this new legislation has prompted companies to revise their websites, e-commerce platforms, and mobile banking applications.

A Late Realization for Many Companies

“A surprising aspect was the number of companies, even large enterprises, contacting us just two weeks before the deadline, expressing a lack of awareness regarding these requirements,” stated Cormac Chisholm, an entrepreneur based in Ireland.

DevAlly: Pioneering Accessibility Through Technology

Chisholm’s company, DevAlly, is at the forefront of utilizing technology to simplify the detection of accessibility issues for businesses. It also facilitates compliance with regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which carries the potential for substantial penalties for non-compliant products and services. Existing products have until 2030 to achieve compliance.

DevAlly’s Core Functionality

Established in 2024, DevAlly performs audits to identify accessibility barriers, such as the absence of captions on videos featured on corporate websites. The platform also monitors customer-reported problems and assists companies in creating remediation plans and generating comprehensive accessibility reports.

Scaling Accessibility with AI

While traditional human-led audits are available, DevAlly’s CEO, Chisholm, argues that this approach is not scalable enough to meet current demand or align with the rapid pace of digital product development. DevAlly employs both accessibility specialists and leverages AI and accessibility LLMs to automate testing and issue tracking, integrating accessibility into the product development lifecycle.

Following a Proven Compliance Model

This technology-centric strategy mirrors the successful path taken by cybersecurity compliance firm Vanta, currently valued at $4.15 billion.

Securing Pre-Seed Funding

The growing awareness surrounding accessibility and the favorable regulatory environment enabled DevAlly to secure €2 million (roughly $2.3 million) in pre-seed funding, as exclusively reported by TechCrunch.

Expansion Plans and Team Growth

The company intends to expand its team from 5 to 15 employees by year-end, primarily in Dublin, where it participated in the NDRC accelerator program, run by Dogpatch Labs on behalf of Enterprise Ireland.

Investor Support and Strategic Partnerships

The funding round included participation from NDRC and Enterprise Ireland, but was spearheaded by Belgian fund Miles Ahead Capital, with contributions from European angel investors. DevAlly’s founders attribute this success, in part, to their performance at the Slush tech conference, where they ranked among the top three startups and connected with their lead investor.

Focus on European Expansion

“Historically in Ireland, companies tend to partner with Irish venture capital firms, but we opted for a European investor,” Chisholm explained. “We are eager to explore the opportunities this partnership unlocks.”

Entering the U.S. Market

DevAlly will utilize the support from Miles Ahead to launch operations in the U.S., beginning with sales efforts in San Francisco. The city proved beneficial for establishing connections with accessibility leaders at prominent B2B software companies following DevAlly’s participation in TechCrunch Disrupt’s Startup Battlefield 2024. “A significant portion of our current clientele is located on the West Coast,” noted Patrick Guiney, co-founder and chief revenue officer.

Opportunities in the U.S. and Europe

The startup has experienced traction in Europe due to the enforcement of the EAA, a trend shared by other companies like Barcelona-based QualiBooth, which recently assessed the state of e-commerce accessibility in Europe. Both startups also recognize potential in the U.S., where DevAlly anticipates procurement processes will be a key driver of demand.

The Economic Impact of Accessible Design

Considering that disabled consumers and their households represent an estimated $8 trillion in annual disposable income, Chisholm emphasizes that “effective design is inherently accessible design.” He points out that one in five individuals lives with a disability, and disability can also be temporary – such as glare hindering screen visibility or the inability to use controls while occupied. “Therefore, striving for universal design is crucial.”

Accessibility Standards and Current Website Performance

Addressing accessibility involves measures like screen reader compatibility and the use of color contrast and gradients suitable for individuals with color blindness. However, a recent analysis by UX/UI design agency Tenscope revealed that 94% of the top 1,000 U.S. websites fail to meet basic accessibility standards.

Industry-Specific Challenges

The travel sector exhibited the poorest performance, hindering users from completing essential tasks like submitting contact forms, creating accounts, and making online purchases. Even prior to the EAA, Spanish airline Vueling faced penalties for its website’s inaccessibility.

Bridging the Gap for U.S. Companies

With the EU-wide EAA encompassing multiple jurisdictions and associated fines, large technology companies operating across various countries may seek assistance. “This is why we are positioning ourselves as a gateway to Europe for these U.S. companies,” Chisholm stated.

The Broader Benefits of Accessibility

Success in this endeavor would be beneficial for DevAlly, its investors, and potentially for everyone, Chisholm concluded. “The enhancements that accompany accessibility, such as subtitles on Netflix, translate into substantial improvements in how we all interact with technology, resulting in a superior design experience.”

This story was updated to correct Vanta’s valuation.