If you are an innovative legal tech startup looking to gain exposure, here is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to compete for a space at ABA TECHSHOW’s inaugural Startup Alley and participation in a “Pitch Madness” startup face-off.

Full details are provided in my column this week at Above the Law, but here’s the nutshell version:

For the first time ever, ABA TECHSHOW this year (March 15-18 in Chicago) will reserve a portion of its exhibition hall to showcase 12 innovative legal startups. In addition, on TECHSHOW’s opening night, the 12 startups will face off in a bracketed pitch competition — judged by TECHSHOW attendees — to pick the most innovative startup.

The 12 startups will be selected through a competition that I am coordinating, with help from Evolve Law and Above the Law. The competition started yesterday. Startups interested in participating should complete this application form. Applications must be received by Oct. 31, 2016.

From all applications received, a panel of judges from Evolve Law and Above the Law (including me) will select the 20 best. On Nov. 14, brief descriptions of each of the 20 will be posted on Above the Law and readers will be invited to vote for their favorites. The 12 startups with the most votes will be selected for ABA TECHSHOW. Winners will be announced by Nov. 25.

The competition is limited to startups that meet the following criteria:

  • Your product or service is targeted to lawyers or legal professionals, not to consumers.
  • Your company has never before exhibited at a national legal technology conference.
  • Your company has achieved some demonstrable traction, either in users, revenue, or financing.

In addition, your company should be innovative, meaning that it addresses a need not met by other products or services currently on the market or that it does so in a way not currently done by others.

Please read my post at Above the Law for more details. And I hope to see your company in Chicago.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.