Eco Ventures Counsel

EVC is a new legal pro bono programme through which leading law firms will provide top-quality free legal support to eligible early-stage ventures aiming to improve/save our planet (“Eco Ventures”).

What are the benefits of the programme for Eco Ventures?
• Twelve months of top-quality free legal support, helping Eco Ventures to create robust companies by: (i) implementing strong corporate governance and employment practices; (ii) understanding and protecting IP; and (iii) negotiating commercial contracts and pre-seed/seed fundraising rounds, to name but a few.
• Visible support from leading law firms will boost Eco Ventures’ professional credibility.
• Learn how to deal with lawyers and corporate stakeholders generally.
• Can be inspired by, learn from and network with like-minded change-making Eco Ventures.
• Option to apply to join future annual cohorts.

Which Eco Ventures are eligible to apply?
Early-stage ventures who:
• have a primary mission of improving/saving our planet (it doesn’t matter which greentech sector they focus on, e.g. cleantech, agritech, foodtech, carbon reduction, climatetech, built environment, environmental sustainability or otherwise);
• are connected to a UK university, incubator, accelerator or venture builder that is partnering with EVC (each, a “Partner Organisation”);
• are pre-Series A (ventures can be registered companies or pre-incorporation, and they can be (i) pre-revenue or (ii) commercially launched and generating revenue but not profit-making); and
• are solo founders or part of a team.

What is the application process?
• Application dates: applications may be submitted in January 2025.
• Application review: applications will be reviewed (and interviews will be scheduled) on an ongoing basis.
• Interviews: selected applicants will be invited to attend a video interview from late January to 28 February 2025.
• Decision: EVC will decide which interviewed Eco Ventures to accept into cohort 1.
• Notification: applicants will be informed by 31 March 2025 whether they are invited to join Eco Ventures Counsel cohort 1.
• Cohort 1 launch: the annual cohort launches on 1 May 2025 and runs until 30 April 2026.