Definely and Wordsmith rep legal tech in prestigious Future Fifty programme

Two of the UK’s fastest-growing legal tech startups, Definely and Wordsmith, have been selected for Future Fifty - the high-profile programme for tech scale-ups on the path to IPO or major expansion.

Future Fifty is an invite-only network that inducts 25 companies in two cohorts annually. Alumni include Revolut and Wise. The programme is widely seen as a springboard for international growth.

Previous legal tech inductees include Juro - founded by ex-Freshfields lawyer Richard Mabey - and Lawhive, the AI-powered legal services marketplace that recently made headlines by acquiring a law firm in an industry first.

The companies

Definely, also founded by ex-Freshfields lawyers, Nnamdi Emelifeonwu and Feargus MacDaeid, has built an AI-powered contract review platform inspired by MacDaeid’s experience of visual impairment as a lawyer. The company most recently raised a $30 million Series B round, bringing its total funding to $40 million since launching in 2020.

Listen to our conversation with co-founder Nnamdi on The Non-Billable Podcast where he talks about his journey from Freshfields banking lawyer to tech founder.

Wordsmith, headquartered in Edinburgh and co-founded by former lawyer Ross McNairn, has raised $30 million to date, including a $25 million Series A round in June valuing it at $100 million. The platform helps in-house teams streamline workflows.

Listen to our conversation with co-founder Ross on The Non-Billable Podcast where he explains how Wordsmith is turning legal from a blocker into a revenue driver for large companies.

What they said

Wordsmith called its inclusion "a milestone the whole team are proud of, and another step in our journey to make in-house legal a driver of business growth."

Definely said: "Future Fifty is a rite of passage for late-stage tech companies in the UK, having supported over 30% of the country’s unicorns to date. We’re thrilled to be part of this legacy."

Carolyn Dawson, CEO of backer Founders Forum, said: "By providing these founders with the vital resources, networks, and global exposure necessary to accelerate their growth and amplify their impact, the Future Fifty programme supports their ambitions while reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in global technology and entrepreneurship."