Concept Framework Graduate Feature: ALT.Law & Company (ALC)
In the lead up to launching our fourth cohort of Concept Framework early next year, we connected with graduates from previous cohorts to learn more about their startup and hear their personal experiences and insights from the program.
ALT.Law & Company (ALC) uses existing tools and new ways of collaboration, such as ADR and legal technology, to deliver unique, affordable and quick solutions. The company offers technological innovation and dispute resolution to meet the needs of the “missing middle” — a very underserved market. The latter is composed of people who do not qualify for free legal aid, but at the same time do not have enough money to afford litigation. ALC is operated by CEO and Founder, Nonopa Vanda.
In January of 2021, ALC took part in the Legal Innovation Zone’s Concept Framework program — an online, 6-week, interactive program that helps future entrepreneurs bring their innovative idea to life by creating a focus on validating ideas and building a Minimum Viable Design of the solution.
We spoke with Nonopa to learn more about her experience in the program and how it has helped her advance ALC in the legal tech industry. Here are her insights:
What was the inspiration behind your company?
I am part of the missing middle in South Africa. I’ve been on the receiving end of inaccessible legal services more times than I can count. As soon as I learned more about legal tech and legal innovation, I had the idea to pair existing tools with new ways of collaboration to deliver unique, affordable and quick solutions. My start-up idea became the solution.
What background and experience do you have in the legal tech industry?
From an educational standpoint, I attended the Bucerius Legal Tech Essentials program in 2021, earned my legal tech certification from the Passport to Practice program, and am currently working towards finishing my certificate at the Institute for the Future of Law Practice.
As for practical and work experience, I worked for a Canadian legal tech marketplace, Lumose, where I reviewed legal tech software for solo lawyers and small firms. Additionally, I currently hold a membership at Legal Creatives, where I participate in challenges. The most recent challenge was a ‘legal tech meets design’ gamification, where we created a gamified solution to ease the pain of choosing legal tech. We’re currently working on a new challenge to redesign legal documents so they are easier to understand and users can interact with them better. I also occasionally help start-ups, such as Legal Sparks, to sharpen their products and go-to market strategy, and am a freelance legal tech writer.
How did you first hear about Concept Framework and what about the program caught your attention?
I saw a post about it on LinkedIn! It’s the program’s features that caught my attention. As someone who has TONS of ideas, I felt that a guided, interactive and live program would help me move the needle.
What led you to join the program and what were you hoping to get out of it?
It was the best program for me to join as someone who had an idea but didn’t really know how to frame it the right way or niche it down. I was hoping to receive some direction and that’s exactly what the program gave me.
How has Concept Framework helped you develop and advance your legal tech start-up?
It’s reported that 90% of start-ups fail, and there are obviously a lot of reasons for this, but 42% of that is due to lack of market demand. This may appear to most folks as just “look at what the ‘market’ needs and start a company”. That’s not product market fit, in fact it’s far from it. Product market fit is when your desired customer is willing to buy, use and tell others about your product or service. Concept Framework does exactly that by forcing you to think in more detail.
Going through this process has ensured I don’t wind up like the 42% of startups that focus on the drilling machine and all its fancy features. It has helped me fall in love with the problem, hyper-focus on who my user is, and find direction on user research!
Which session was your favourite and why?
I’m a very practical person, which is why the session on prototyping was my favorite. The more practical something is, the more effective it is for me. During this prototyping session, we got our hands dirty and actually built something! It helped me visualize my idea and see what was missing! Oftentimes, we have these ideas but can’t really envision how they should look, and this session spoke to that.
Do you have any application tips for entrepreneurs hoping to join our next cohort?
When people apply, they tend to answer what hasn't been asked, which is why my best advice would be to make sure you answer the question. But before you do that, I advise you to sit down and ensure you understand what’s being asked and to stick to the point.
Applications for the 2022 cohort of Concept Framework close on January 14, 2022. Learn more and apply here (external link) .
To learn more about ALC, you can reach out to Nonopa via LinkedIn (external link) .
This interview has been edited and/or condensed for clarity.
