Global Incubator Programme: Canada (Toronto) - LegalTech, Cohort 3
Delivered by Innovate UK, in partnership with the Legal Innovation Zone (LIZ), this Global Incubator Programme (GIP) provides an opportunity for UK-based companies to expand into the North American market and collaborate with the world’s largest legal technology incubator.
Opportunity Details
When
Registration Opens
30/05/2025
Registration Closes
04/07/2025
Award
Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation, in-market travel, and any additional fees for successful applicants. Innovate UK will also pay for any reasonable adjustments throughout the initiative. Only one representative from each company will be funded.
Organisation
Innovate UK
Note: this opportunity is fully funded support and not monetary funding.
Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme is an acceleration programme for innovative companies to work with world-leading incubators abroad. We are currently accepting applications for up to 8 innovative companies in the Legal Tech Sector to join our Programme.
The Programme is delivered in partnership with the Legal Innovation Zone (LIZ) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Toronto, Canada.
We are looking to support innovative companies who are developing innovative technologies that are helping to transform the legal sector.
The technology areas include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Analytics
- Automation
- Contract Management / Analysis
- Legal Research
- Discovery
- Case Management
In partnership with the Legal Innovation Zone (LIZ)
The Legal Innovation Zone (LIZ) is the world’s first, and largest, incubator dedicated to legal technology. They incubate start-up companies from idea through international sales, with a number of very successful alumni.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, LIZ has supported over 170 legal tech start-ups, engaged over 700 entrepreneurs through LIZ workshops, reached 26 different countries and have a community of over 10,000 members.
LIZ supports the innovation agendas of governments (provincial and internation- al), law firms, lawyers, legal organisations, and Canadian administrative tribunals. LIZ also works to modernise the legal system.
LIZ provides legal tech innovators with access to resources they can leverage to help grow their businesses. These include connecting with industry experts and mentors, participating in group learning sessions, becoming engaged with the LIZ community – and much more.
LIZ offers the opportunity to explore the potential in the North American market.
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We are looking for businesses with the ambition and commitment to scale globally. The programme best suits businesses that already have some traction and sales in the UK that are now looking to innovate their products and services through building global partnerships and collaborations to accelerate their growth and scaling journey.
The Global Incubator Programme operates on a competitive basis and businesses selected against the criteria listed in this application are required to actively participate in all three stages. The three stages of the Programme are as follows:
Prepare
A preparation workshop delivered to the entire cohort in the UK. You will be allocated an Innovate UK innovation and growth specialist to work with in the UK who will work with you on your strategic action plan for the programme. You will receive an overview of the innovation and sector landscape of the country’s market, a full briefing on the programme and working with the incubator, and support to better present your business and the value proposition.
Pursue
This 4-6 month stage of the programme is about working with T-Hub to undertake intensive Customer Discovery work. A typical programme will see a visit to the market at the beginning, providing the opportunity to consider technology and market fit, preliminary customer validation and an introduction to ecosystem players. This will be followed by regular (weekly or fortnightly) virtual sessions with the incubator team, mentors, and experts, to do a deep dive into understanding what it takes to be successful in accessing the market. The final part is a second visit to the market, including a demo day to showcase the achievements of the cohort, continuing to raise the profile and make connections for the businesses involved.
Exploit
Work with your innovation and growth specialist to continue to exploit the programme, building on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained. You will be in a much better position with the necessary understanding and networks to accelerate your global growth and scaling journey.
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- Getting ready for the market: Work with an Innovate UK Innovation & Growth Specialist to develop a Strategic Action Plan for the Programme.
- Workspace: Establish a presence with dedicated desk space at the Legal Innovation Zone during the market visits.
- Masterclasses, workshops and panel speakers: Online group learning insight sessions to assist in all aspects of Canada business formation and scaleup.
- Connections and Access: Gain access to the largest urban systems complex in the world with curated network access via LIZ’s team.
- Mentoring: Receive country-specific mentoring from trusted experts in the LegalTech
- Innovation community: Participate in a vibrant community of LegalTech entrepreneurs and industry
- Pitching opportunities: Access to investor, corporate and strategic partner networks in the Canada during the Programme and at a Final Showcase event in Toronto in March 2026.
- Market visits: Two intensive market visits to Toronto are planned as part of this initiative in October 2025 and March 2026.
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Toronto is the legal, financial and economic centre of Canada. The largest law firms known as the ‘Seven Sisters’ are head quartered there, as are the major banks. It is at the centre of technology innovation generally.
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This Programme is aimed at innovative legal services and technology companies that have:
- A novel / innovative solution with some traction (such as efficacy data or reference customers).
- A strong leadership team ready to dedicate time in Toronto at the LIZ to build relationships with advisors, investors, legal tech leaders, and decision makers.
- A willingness to adapt and openness to incorporating the feedback and guidance provided by experts in our network.
- An initial Canadian value proposition and a hypothesis about how to reduce cost, drive quality and increase revenue in the Canadian legal services market.
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Innovate UK will fund and organise flights, accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants. One representative from each company will be funded.
On acceptance of the offer, a commitment fee of £2,000 will be obtained from each delegate. It will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed work plan. Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fees.
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To learn more about the Programme, including hearing how this has worked for previous participants, register for the Applicant Briefing event on Tuesday 10th June 2025 at 4pm.
Key Dates:
- Applicant briefing: Monday 10th June 2025 at 4pm (BST)
- Closing date for applications: Friday 4th July 2025 at 5pm (BST)
- Shortlist Interviews: 28th – 31st July 2025
- Successful Applicants notified: Friday 8th August 2025
- Market Visit: Immersion Week: 6th – 10th October 2025 (5th – 11th Oct with travel)
- Incubation Programme (Virtual): October 2025 to March 2026
- Market Visit: Showcase Week: 2nd – 6th March 2026 (1st – 7th March with travel)

Innovate UK Business Growth
Innovate UK Business Growth is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth.
Read more
For more information about the Programme or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact Dr Dilruk Yahathugoda.
Related Events and Recordings
Tue
10
Jun
2025
Global Incubator Programme: Canada (Toronto) - LegalTech, Cohort 3 briefing event
16.00 - 17.00 | Online
Register for this event
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