After hearing the same story too many times, Danae Shell knew something had to change. She observed how, when conflicts arose at work, employees often chose to leave rather than face the complicated and costly process of legal action. “Something bad would happen to someone at work, and the story always ended the same way,” she explained. “They just left because dealing with it was incredibly complex and expensive.”
For many workers, pursuing legal recourse feels overwhelming and inaccessible, even for those in well-paying tech jobs. This frustration inspired Shell to create Valla in 2022 — a platform dedicated to making legal support more approachable for employees facing workplace issues.
Valla specializes in employment law, and since its launch, the platform has helped over 12,000 workers file complaints and reach settlements with their employers. Shell’s core idea was simple: “If we can develop tools that let someone file their tax return from their phone, then why not create something that helps them manage their legal challenges too?”
The Valla platform empowers users to gather evidence, generate necessary documents, and connect with legal experts who guide them through each stage of their case. For instance, a user can track a workplace dispute, draft a Tribunal claim, and even purchase coaching sessions to prepare for hearings — all within the app.
Like many startups today, Valla leverages cutting-edge AI to enhance user experience. “Our GenAI engine acts as a legal secretary behind the scenes,” Shell explains. “It briefs the coach on the case, takes notes during calls, manages administrative tasks, and sends reminders as the case moves forward.”
Investors have taken notice of Valla’s potential. The company recently closed a £2 million (roughly $2.7 million) seed funding round led by Ada Ventures, with participation from Active Partners, Portfolio Ventures, and returning investors like Techstart and Resolution Foundation.
Shell shared that Valla began integrating generative AI in early 2023, and the early traction the platform gained helped demonstrate its value, attracting investor confidence. Moving forward, the company plans to use the new funding to ramp up marketing efforts, collaborate with worker unions and insurers, and develop additional AI-powered features.
Looking ahead, Shell envisions expanding beyond employment law into areas like small claims and tenancy disputes. The company also has its sights set on international markets, with plans to explore opportunities in the U.S. and Europe, broadening access to affordable legal support worldwide.
