Following the resounding success of 'AG Elevate', originally launched in November 2016, Addleshaw Goddard has launched its 2018 programme to support FinTech growth with an expanded programme for participants.

'AG Elevate' 2018 is launched today, 4 October 2017, by the firm's head of FinTech Group, Fiona Ghosh, at PayExpo Europe, the UK's largest Payments and FinTech conference, where she chaired the event's plenary, key note session on the challenges of FinTech maturity.

Like the original offering, 'AG Elevate' 2018 is a fast track, 12-month initiative that focuses on supporting ambitious FinTechs by providing free legal advice and mentoring under the banner of two programmes - one targeting 'early-stage' start-ups with no more than £1 million of investment, and one directed at start-ups with at least 'Series A' funding of more than £1 million. Both packages offer mentoring services and free legal advice, together with access to AG's training sessions and networking events.

'AG Elevate' 2018 will look to build upon and secure FinTechs from the UK, with a particular focus on Scotland, as well as internationally, concentrating in particular on South East Asia and the Middle East.

The programme will again be resourced by AG's most experienced FinTech lawyers, who, in 2016 won an award for 'Most Innovative Law Firm' for their work with Microsoft, at the Financial Times (FT) Innovative Lawyers Awards 2016. The firm has, this year, been shortlisted for a further two awards at the FT Innovative Lawyers 2017.

The team are currently working with 7 FinTechs from the first cohort of 'AG Elevate', including Delio, Pace Invoice, Penta, Moneyfellows and Mespo and those programmes continue to thrive. The success of the programme and the benefit it brings to the participants is well voiced by the FinTechs themselves – read the case study from David Newman from Delio here, a complete white label platform solution for private asset management.

Fiona Ghosh, commented: "Following the success of our 2017 programme, it made absolute commercial sense for us to take 'AG Elevate' to the next level. We have learnt much in the process of the original offering that we will build upon for the next round. The FinTech market has changed significantly over the last 12 months - people are realising that you can be a well-established global business and be FinTech. We want to continue the work we are doing and to keep providing a service that allows our clients to prosper and grow as well as providing a network to learn from each other and more established players. We look forward to welcoming the next round of applicants."

Notes to editors

1. Our FinTech & Digital Group consolidates our expertise across financial services, regulation and corporate and commercial transactions. It encompasses experts from across the firm, including Payment Services, Data Exploitation, Corporate, Information Services and Technology, Financial Regulations and Authorisation Support and Intellectual Property. Our team is a recognised leader in the FinTech field, acting for the range of FinTech clients involved in Payments and Remittances, Banking and Lending and Investment Management.

For further information on the FinTech & Digital Group, please visit our website

2. We have been shortlisted for two awards at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards 2017 and, in 2016, beat significant competition to win the award for 'Most Innovative Firm in Resourcing and Efficiency' at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards 2016. The team was recognised for its Global Support Offering to Microsoft (in conjunction with US firm DWT).

3. We are ranked 1st for Payments in Chambers & Partners 2017: "A leading firm in the payments arena, able to draw upon significant experience developing innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to issues in the space. Particular recent experience in handling cutting edge mobile payments matters for major international clients in technology, retail and financial services." Clients say: "It's a very strong team, client focused and dedicated."

4. The team stands out for working with clients such as Microsoft, as well as helping clients navigate the implications of regulations such as GDPR and PSD2. We have helped firms in relation to their launch of Apple Pay, Samsung and Android Pay, and we work with a range of new challenger banks, as well as FinTech start-ups or those looking to launch in the UK.

5. We advised on our first corporate transaction for 'AG Elevate' FinTech client by advising PACE Invoice, an innovative multi-currency invoicing platform provider based in London on its sale to Flywire, a leading provider of international payment solutions based in the US.