Valla Raises $2.7M to Empower Employees with Legal Access

Addressing the Complexity of Legal Recourse for Employees

Danae Shell observed a recurring pattern that prompted her to action. She noted that individuals facing workplace issues frequently abandoned pursuing legal solutions due to the perceived difficulty and expense.

As she explained to TechCrunch, the typical outcome involved employees simply leaving their jobs, as navigating the legal system felt overwhelmingly complex.

The Barriers to Seeking Justice

For many, the prospect of initiating legal action appears incredibly daunting. This holds true even for those employed in stable tech positions, where challenging a company can be a significant undertaking.

This realization fueled Shell’s determination to create a more accessible pathway to legal support for workers.

Introducing Valla: Accessible Legal Support

In 2022, Shell founded Valla, a company dedicated to simplifying legal assistance for employees. The platform specifically concentrates on employment law.

Since its inception, Valla reports that over 12,000 workers have successfully filed complaints and reached settlements with their employers through the platform.

The Core Philosophy Behind Valla

Shell articulated the foundational principle of Valla: “If we can develop tools enabling individuals to file taxes via their smartphones, we can certainly create a system to assist them in managing legal matters.”

The Valla platform empowers users to gather evidence, create necessary documentation, and connect with legal professionals for guidance throughout their case.

How Valla Works

Users can track ongoing workplace issues, prepare Tribunal claims, and then acquire coaching packages to prepare for hearings. Legal experts act as coaches, providing support at each stage.

Leveraging AI for Efficiency

Like many modern startups, Valla integrates AI to enhance knowledge transfer. Shell describes the AI engine as functioning like a virtual legal secretary.

This AI handles tasks such as briefing coaches on case details, recording notes and actions from calls, and managing administrative duties and reminders.

Securing Seed Funding

Valla’s progress has attracted investor attention. The company recently announced a £2 million (approximately $2.7 million) seed funding round led by Ada Ventures.

Active Partners, Portfolio Ventures, and existing investors Techstart and Resolution Foundation also participated in this funding round.

The Impact of AI and Early Traction

Shell believes that the integration of generative AI in early 2023, combined with the initial positive response to her product, played a key role in securing investment.

Future Plans for Valla

The newly acquired capital will be allocated to expanding marketing efforts, forging partnerships with worker unions and insurance providers, and developing additional AI-powered features.

Looking ahead, Valla intends to broaden its scope beyond employment law to include small claims and tenancy disputes.