Selected Venture Capital – Week 45

The European legal tech sector is witnessing a fundamental shift as artificial intelligence transforms traditionally opaque and expensive intellectual property services. While US legal tech has dominated headlines, a new wave of European startups is tackling the continent’s fragmented legal landscape with AI-powered solutions designed for local market complexities. iPNOTE, the Madrid-based legal technology platform, has secured €857k in seed funding to scale its AI-powered intellectual property services across European markets. The round was led by AltaIR Capital, with participation from several angel investors, positioning the startup to challenge traditional IP law firms with its technology-first approach. Legal tech funding attracts European venture attention AltaIR Capital’s investment in iPNOTE reflects growing investor confidence in European legal technology, particularly platforms addressing the €40 billion intellectual property services market. The Moscow-based venture firm, known for backing technology companies across Eastern and Western Europe, sees significant potential in iPNOTE’s model of connecting businesses with qualified IP attorneys through an automated platform. “The legal services industry remains one of the least digitised sectors in Europe, particularly in intellectual property where costs can prohibit many businesses from protecting their innovations,” explained AltaIR Capital’s investment team. “iPNOTE’s platform addresses this market failure by reducing costs by up to 30% while maintaining quality through AI-driven attorney matching.” The funding comes as European regulators increasingly focus on digital transformation in professional services, with recent EU directives encouraging cross-border legal service provision. This regulatory tailwind positions iPNOTE advantageously as businesses seek streamlined IP protection across multiple European jurisdictions. AI transforms intellectual property service delivery Founded in 2019, iPNOTE has built an AI-powered platform that matches businesses with qualified IP attorneys while automating much of the traditional paperwork and process management. The platform currently serves over 2,000 clients across Europe, with particular strength in trademark and patent filing services for SMEs and startups. “Traditional IP law firms operate with business models designed for large corporations, leaving smaller businesses underserved,” said iPNOTE’s founder and CEO. “Our platform democratises access to high-quality IP legal services by leveraging technology to reduce costs while maintaining the human expertise that complex IP matters require.” The company plans to use the €857k investment primarily for expanding its AI capabilities and entering new European markets, with Germany, France, and the Netherlands identified as priority territories. iPNOTE also intends to broaden its service offering beyond IP to include corporate law and compliance services, areas where its technology-driven approach could deliver similar efficiencies. The funding positions iPNOTE to compete directly with established European legal tech players while building the infrastructure necessary for cross-border service delivery – a critical advantage in Europe’s fragmented legal landscape where regulatory complexity often determines market success.

European legal technology is experiencing unprecedented investor appetite, driven by regulatory complexity and digitalisation demands across fragmented EU markets. The latest beneficiary is Vesence, a Y Combinator-backed legal tech startup that has secured €8.3M in seed funding to accelerate its platform serving legal professionals across Europe. The round signals growing confidence in European legal tech solutions that can navigate the continent’s diverse regulatory landscape whilst competing with established Silicon Valley players. Legal tech seed funding attracts strategic investors The funding round reflects a broader trend of investors recognising legal technology’s potential within Europe’s complex regulatory environment. Unlike their US counterparts, European legal tech startups must address multiple jurisdictions, languages, and legal frameworks simultaneously—a challenge that also creates significant competitive moats. Vesence’s ability to raise substantial seed funding demonstrates investor confidence in legal tech solutions designed specifically for European markets. The company’s Y Combinator pedigree provides additional validation, as the accelerator increasingly focuses on European startups that can scale across borders. “The European legal market presents unique opportunities for technology solutions that understand regulatory nuance,” noted an investor familiar with the space. “Vesence’s approach addresses real pain points that generic solutions often miss.” European legal market digitalisation accelerates The funding arrives as European law firms and corporate legal departments accelerate digitalisation efforts, driven partly by post-pandemic remote work requirements and increasing regulatory complexity. GDPR compliance, ESG reporting, and evolving AI regulations create demand for sophisticated legal technology platforms. Vesence plans to use the capital for product development and European market expansion, focusing on features that address region-specific legal requirements. The startup’s timing aligns with broader European Union initiatives to digitalise legal processes and improve cross-border legal cooperation. Competition in European legal tech remains fragmented compared to the US market, where consolidation around major platforms has occurred. This fragmentation creates opportunities for startups like Vesence to establish strong positions in specific European jurisdictions before expanding continent-wide. The €8.3M seed round positions Vesence to capitalise on Europe’s legal digitalisation trend whilst building technology specifically designed for the continent’s regulatory complexity. For European legal tech, it represents another data point supporting investor thesis that regional solutions often outperform global platforms in highly regulated sectors.

European defence procurement is undergoing its most significant modernisation in decades, driven by geopolitical tensions and the urgent need to streamline military supply chains. Into this complex landscape steps SalesPatriot, which has secured €4.6M in seed funding to digitise defence procurement processes across Europe. The round was led by CRV, marking the US venture capital firm’s continued expansion into European defence technology investments. The funding underscores growing investor confidence in the defence procurement technology sector, particularly solutions that can navigate the intricate regulatory requirements of European military contracts. Defence procurement tech funding attracts strategic investors CRV’s investment thesis centres on the massive inefficiencies plaguing traditional defence procurement systems across Europe. The firm, known for backing enterprise software companies that tackle complex regulatory environments, sees significant opportunity in modernising how European defence organisations source and manage suppliers. “The defence procurement market in Europe has been underserved by modern technology solutions,” noted a CRV partner familiar with the investment. “SalesPatriot’s approach to digitising these traditionally paper-heavy processes aligns perfectly with our focus on B2B software that solves real operational challenges.” The strategic value extends beyond capital. CRV brings extensive experience in scaling enterprise software companies across fragmented European markets, crucial for SalesPatriot as it navigates different national defence procurement frameworks from Germany to Poland. Modernising European military supply chains SalesPatriot’s platform addresses a critical pain point in European defence: the lengthy, manual processes that govern how military organisations evaluate and engage suppliers. The company’s software automates compliance tracking, vendor assessment, and contract management specifically for defence procurement requirements. The timing proves strategic as European governments increase defence spending in response to regional security challenges. This creates both opportunity and complexity – more procurement activity but heightened scrutiny around supplier vetting and cybersecurity compliance. The €4.6M will fund product development focused on European regulatory requirements and market expansion across key defence hubs including the UK, Germany, and Nordic countries. SalesPatriot plans to integrate with existing defence infrastructure while maintaining the security standards demanded by military clients. This funding signals growing maturity in the European defence tech ecosystem, where startups increasingly target the operational challenges of military procurement rather than just hardware innovation. For CRV, the investment represents a calculated bet on the digitisation of one of Europe’s most traditional sectors.