Thomson Reuters launches TR IGNITE

• Aimed at early stage startups in the legal and regulatory space across Asia Pacific
• Successful applicants will pitch at the TechLaw.Fest in Singapore on Sept 5-6, 2019

THOMSON Reuters announced the launch of its technology investment programme, TR Ignite, for early stage startups in the legal and regulatory space across Asia Pacific.

Founders of startups in these areas are invited to apply to the programme from now until Aug 16, 2019 by visiting tr.com/ignite.

Successful applicants will be invited to pitch at the TechLaw.Fest in Singapore on Sept 5-6, 2019. The investor pitch day will provide startups from all over Asia Pacific with the chance to secure a potential investment of up to US$250,000 (RM1.03 million), alongside strategic collaboration with Thomson Reuters through its virtual incubator programme.

Through collaboration with Thomson Reuters, participants will benefit from access to a global customer footprint; partner resources including up to an additional US$100,000 (RM411,301) worth of Amazon Web Services credit; and Thomson Reuters technology, data and mentorship from its Innovation Labs.

Jackie Rhodes, head of Legal Professionals, Asia & Emerging Markets at Thomson Reuters said: "As a global business, we foster worldwide talent and innovation. We particularly believe in nurturing the talent and technologies emerging in the Asia Pacific region that will help tackle the next generation challenges that lawyers and compliance professionals face.

“For more than 150 years, businesses around the world have trusted Thomson Reuters to be their partner in an increasingly complex world. This trust is the force behind our constant drive to innovate."

One of the core pillars of the TR Ignite programme is to work collaboratively to enhance the existing ecosystem that fosters innovation across legal and regulatory technology.

“In collaboration with the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) through TechLaw.Fest, qualifying startups will also be offered a place on GLIDE, the Singapore Academy of Law legal tech accelerator.

SAL chief operating officer Paul Neo, comments: "In creating links between programmes like GLIDE and TR Ignite, we are expanding opportunities for technology startups to scale in a way that best supports their market opportunities and business goals.

“With programmes originating from a source of deep domain expertise, we are ensuring that we are solving the most critical challenges and opportunities facing legal practitioners in Asia Pacific."

To qualify for TR Ignite, applicants must fulfil a set of criteria, including:

• Be an early-stage technology startup (pre-series A funding) based in Asia Pacific
• Have a prototype ready to demo, or be very near a working prototype
• Have funding for (minimum) the next six months
• Be available to present in person at TechLaw.Fest in Singapore from Sept 4-6, 2019.

Detailed information about the programme is available online.