Fuse invites applications for cohort 4

Applicants will be asked to describe their team and the problem(s) they are aiming to solve. Applications are expected to close at the end of January 2020, with a pitch day to follow in February.

Both early stage and more mature companies can apply to work in the specially designed area within A&O’s London offices and successful companies will be invited to work in Fuse from April 2020.

For the first time, Fuse will also be running a separate FinTech stream. As part of a new initiative to promote increased collaboration with their clients in this area, A&O will work with a select group of financial sector clients to identify FinTech companies to join Fuse.

Opened in September 2017, Fuse, headed by Shruti Ajitsaria, was created to give A&O lawyers and clients opportunities to better understand the use of technology that could benefit them. Companies joining the Fuse cohort have access to resources and contacts to develop their products successfully and on an accelerated track, supported though the vast network of A&O lawyers.

Since its inception, Fuse has enjoyed a number of significant milestones. During this current cohort, A&O advised Santander on the first end-to-end blockchain bond issue, which was supported by Fuse resident Nivaura. In addition, Thomson Reuters recently acquired Fuse resident HighQ, in a strategic move they described as “huge and transformational”. Fuse has also enabled residents to gain global licences with A&O, as was the case for cohort member Legatics earlier this year.

Shruti Ajitsaria, Partner and Head of Fuse, said: "It is always exciting when we open applications for companies to join Fuse, as it enables us to see the best in class technology during the process. This year, I am looking forward to seeing our ecosystem grow as we welcome nominated FinTech companies as well as successful LegalTech applicants to join us here in Fuse."

More information about Fuse can be found here and you can apply to join Fuse here.

For further information, please contact Rajiv Pattni, Rajiv.Pattni@allenovery.com on +44 203 088 1237 or for questions about applications please email Shruti.Ajitsaria@allenovery.com