In a bold move to challenge the status quo of workplace justice, UK-based startup Valla has secured a $2.7 million seed round to expand its mission of making legal recourse more accessible for employees. Founded by Danae Shell in 2022, the platform is designed to simplify the complex and costly process of filing employment-related claims.
Shell was inspired to launch Valla after repeatedly hearing stories of workers walking away from jobs where they were mistreated simply because they couldn’t afford legal help or navigate the system.
They just left, because doing anything else was incredibly complex and expensive,” Shell told TechCrunch.
Valla’s core idea is simple but powerful: if people can file taxes from their phones, they should be able to handle basic legal actions the same way. That concept resonated—and it’s working. Since launching, over 12,000 users have filed complaints, sought settlements, and made their voices heard through the platform.
Valla offers an AI-enhanced legal assistant. The system helps users gather evidence, create documents, and get step-by-step coaching through the legal process.
“Think of it like having a legal secretary working in the background,” Shell explained. Valla’s generative AI engine supports coaches by summarizing cases, taking notes during calls, and managing admin tasks so users can stay focused on their claims.
Valla’s legal tools are designed for real-world situations. Users can log ongoing problems at work, draft a Tribunal claim when needed, and even purchase customized coaching packages to prepare for hearings.
This latest round of funding, led by Ada Ventures and joined by Active Partners, Portfolio Ventures, and returning backers Techstart and the Resolution Foundation, helps Valla scale up. The company plans to invest in marketing, deepen relationships with unions and insurers, and build even more AI-powered features.
The current focus is on employment law, but Shell has a broader vision. “Next, we’re expanding into small claims and tenancy issues,” she said. Long-term, Valla aims to move into new territories, including the U.S. and Europe.
For now, Valla is showing that justice doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. With technology and a bit of empathy, legal empowerment may finally be within reach for the everyday worker.
