The programme sees senior fintech lawyers from the firm provide mentoring and legal guidance to high-growth potential businesses and start-ups. Overall, £500,000 worth of legal mentorship and advisory programmes will be provided to the cohort.

"Disruptive and innovative"

Fintech firms Amiqus, ARQ, Autopaid, Finance Unlocked and Finvisage have all been awarded a place on AG Elevate after submitting successful applications earlier this year. They will be joined by OBR-Open Banking Reporting, Pionr, Trace and Tumelo on the growth programme. Fiona Ghosh, a partner and head of fintech at Addleshaw Goddard, said “We founded the AG Elevate programme in 2017 to support ambitious FinTech start-ups across the globe and help them overcome the complex regulatory and legal challenges businesses can encounter as they scale up." Ms Ghosh explained, “FinTech firms are some of the most disruptive and innovative businesses we see in the market. Helping the very brightest achieve their full potential is something we’re tremendously passionate about - and that’s why the AG Elevate programme exists today."

“Fantastic array”

Dave Anderson, a partner at Addleshaw Goddard who specialises in working with technology companies, said “This year we’ll be working with a fantastic array of earlier stage fintechs, all of which are bringing interesting innovations to the financial services industry that will shake up business practices and offer greater quality and choice in the market.” Participants in the AG Elevate programme are allocated assigned mentors to provide the equivalent of 25 hours’ free legal advice covering funding, payments, financial regulation and technology. Members also receive access to Addleshaw Goddard’s legal seminars, legal updates, networking events and TORCHLIGHT online tool, which helps users track future regulatory developments in the financial services sector. A specialised training session on a bespoke legal topic is also provided as part of the scheme, with a 30 per cent discount on all other legal advice available.