Melbourne-based AI-tech startup Deeligence simply took out prime gong on the Startup World Cup 2025 regional occasion and earned a spot on the worldwide stage with a sponsored journey to the Grand Finale in San Francisco this October – and the prospect to compete for US$1 million in funding.
Hosted in Melbourne, the distinguished worldwide pitch competitors – run by Pegasus Tech Ventures – showcased 10 high-growth startups who pitched reside to a panel of heavyweight traders. Deeligence not solely impressed the judges with its AI-powered due diligence platform, however made it clear they might be a drive to be reckoned with for years to come back.
Startup World Cup regional finals, Melbourne Picture: Sartup&Angels
Pitch win to international domination
“We assist attorneys get via a lot of paperwork a lot sooner once they’re trying to purchase a enterprise for his or her shopper,” stated Justin Hansky, co-founder of Deeligence, who delivered the profitable pitch. “We got here alongside to pitch on the Startup World Cup and headed house winners.”
Based in 2022, Deeligence has shortly made waves within the authorized tech house by automating some of the time-consuming components of M&A transactions: contract overview. The platform itself helps corporations display 1000’s of paperwork at speedy pace, whereas on the identical time catching any purple flags and producing stories that may meet even the tightest shopper deadlines.
“Deeligence is getting used to overview 1000’s of paperwork each month and attorneys are getting work executed in about half the time on our platform than they might in any other case,” Hansky stated. “They’re really capable of meet their purchasers’ formidable deadlines, that are getting tighter and tighter over time.”
Deeligence is already working with regulation corporations and authorized groups throughout Australia and New Zealand. However worldwide growth – particularly into the US and UK – is an enormous a part of their subsequent chapter.
“When it comes to constructing an organization within the legaltech house, if you wish to construct a very sizeable firm, you’ll want to be international from day one,” Hansky stated. “That you must be within the US, you’ll want to be within the UK. So for us, Australia is a superb place to start out. The Australian market’s been an superior testing floor for us. However to be able to ship on the following stage of development for our enterprise, we have to begin seeing what else is out there on the market and heading to the market sooner somewhat than later.”
Timing the leap to the US
The Startup World Cup prize couldn’t have come at a greater time. Deeligence is making ready for a capital elevate and eyeing growth into North America – making San Francisco the right spot to start out forging connections.
“[We’re] mentally planning the gross sales calls we’re going to have on our journey to San Francisco,” Hansky stated.
With the Grand Finale set to happen this October, it’ll carry collectively regional winners from greater than 50 cities around the globe. As Hansky and co-founder Elena Tsalanidis’s first journey to the US on behalf of the enterprise, they’re planning to take advantage of their time there.
“It’s an incredible alternative, each with our upcoming fundraise to fulfill of us over in San Francisco and in addition to validate some stuff in regards to the market over within the US,” Hansky stated. “As a result of the easiest way to search out out about these items is to be on the bottom. It’s an unimaginable alternative – timing-wise – for what we’re doing within the enterprise.”
The journey has fast-tracked their market-exploration efforts – giving them not simply publicity, however a purpose to start out constructing connections and gathering all crucial insights proper now.
“[We] will alter the timing and [add] a little bit bit of additional work to ensure we’ve the suitable conferences in our calendar earlier than we go.”
A lift of confidence and visibility
Their victory on the Startup World Cup is a large morale enhance, whereas on the identical time signalling Deeligence as one to look at within the lawtech house.
“It feels surreal to have received this competitors,” Hansky stated. “The fact of the prize could be very cool. Going over and getting to fulfill all these superb folks [and going] to San Francisco, which is absolutely the hub of startup land … it feels superior.”
Whereas October is simply across the nook, Hansky is assured his crew shall be prepared and in a position – and that this win has generated loads of momentum they’re able to harness.
Deeligence joins an enviable record of previous Startup World Cup winners who’ve gone on to safe main investments and partnerships after pitching on the world stage.
Startup Every day is a media accomplice of Startup World Cup Australia, hosted by Startup&Angels and supported by platinum companions, United Airways and Dell Applied sciences + Home windows 11.
With because of Dell Applied sciences, Startup World Cup sponsor
Learn the way Dell Applied sciences and Home windows 11 are empowering innovation to assist your startup get forward. Request a callback to get started.
