How I built Definely: ex-Freshfields lawyer Nnamdi Emelifeonwu on building one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech companies

In this episode, we speak with Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, a former Freshfields associate and now co-founder of Definely - one of the UK’s most exciting legal tech companies.

Nnamdi traces his journey building a legal career at a Magic Circle firm and ultimately leaving it all behind to solve a problem he first encountered while working alongside his visually impaired colleague Feargus MacDaeid who would become his co-founder.

Nnamdi shares the story of how he and Feargus turned an initial prototype into a Microsoft Word plug-in - and eventually a fast-growing platform now used by over 100 corporate customers like BT and JPMorgan, and law firm giants including A&O Shearman, Cravath and Milbank.

He discusses the steep learning curve of becoming a founder without a technical background, the early product iterations and how the startup found its first champions at firms like A&O and clients like Deloitte.

He also opens up about the realities of startup life: fundraising, cash flow pressure, making hiring mistakes, and learning to let go of perfectionism - particularly as a lawyer-turned-founder.

With Definely now backed by $7 million in Series A funding from Octopus Ventures and expanding into the US, Nnamdi reflects on the changing role of lawyers in the age of AI and why the future of the profession depends on embracing legal tech.

He also offers candid advice for lawyers considering a move into entrepreneurship, including the importance of resilience, self-belief and maintaining a growth mindset.

Chapters

00:45 Journey into Law: Early Influences and Aspirations

03:29 Training at Freshfields: The Big Law Experience

06:23 The Birth of Definely: Identifying a Problem

09:29 Building the First Prototype: A Solution for Accessibility

12:38 From Idea to Startup: The Entrepreneurial Leap

15:26 Securing Initial Funding: The First Angel Investment

18:38 Developing the Product: Iteration and Feedback

21:35 Gaining Traction: Signing First Customers

23:34 Navigating Early Challenges: Building Relationships with Clients

26:25 Leveraging Legal Expertise: Understanding User Needs

29:57 The Importance of Fundraising in Entrepreneurship

34:36 Shifting Mindsets: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur

36:55 Evolution of the Product: From Definitions to Comprehensive Solutions

39:20 Business Model and Customer Base: Focusing on B2B

42:21 Growth Metrics and Future Vision

44:18 Navigating Competition in Legal Tech

49:02 The Role of AI in the Future of Law

52:49 Challenges and Advice for Transitioning to Legal Tech

55:40 Learning from Mistakes: Hiring and Industry Insights

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