A new Tyneside tech startup is poised to create new skilled jobs after securing £5m in seed funding ahead of a planned launch next year.
AttiFin AI, a legal-AI startup, is setting up base in Newcastle to create the Ƶ’s first enterprise-grade AI platform trained specifically on Ƶ and devolved law. The company, founded by CEO Shilpa Kaluti, is backed by the founders of Scrumconnect, and draws on Scrumconnect’s experience in the criminal justice system, including its work with His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service and the Ministry of Justice on national programmes such as Common Platform.
The firm says its backers’ experience in the criminal justice system has influenced AttiFin’s focus on developing AI technology that reflects the nuances of Ƶ law. The multimillion-pound investment will accelerate AttiFin’s development and also aid significant job creation. Over time the company intends to add more roles as AttiFin grows.
Over the next year the company will create and recruit an initial 25 new technical roles across AI engineering, platform engineering and data expertise, together with additional specialist commercial positions in business development, marketing and legal subject-matter research.
AttiFin has also confirmed it is relocating from its current London base to Newcastle. Ms Kaluti said the company decided to move to the North East after a review of the Ƶ market and availability of key skills identified Newcastle as a strong base for long-term growth, “supported by a deepening pool of AI expertise, respected universities and a substantial cluster of legal-service providers operating nationally and internationally”.
She said the move reinforces AttiFin’s commitment to demonstrating that high-tech innovation can thrive outside the South East and that regional ecosystems can support the creation of enterprise-grade technology.
The announcement comes amid sustained growth across the Ƶ legal sector. Recent analysis by PwC values the market at about £40bn in 2024, with steady expansion forecast over the next five years. Investment in legal-technology is rising at the same time. LawtechƵ reports that firms raised £116.6m in the first half of 2025, almost matching the total raised in 2024.
Ms Kaluti, added: “This investment gives us the momentum we need as we move towards launch. Our priority is to build a platform that meets the expectations of legal professionals who work with complex Ƶ-specific legislation every day. They want tools that are reliable, trustworthy and ready for real-case use.
“Basing AttiFin in Newcastle reflects our belief in the capability across the North East and shows that innovative technology companies do not need to be centred solely in London and the South East.”
