As technology plays an ever increasing role in political and issues-based campaigning, TLT has advised on a significant venture capital investment for Bristol-headquartered technology start-up, Poli, from UK-based technology investment funds, AI Seed and Force Over Mass.

Poli uses the reach and immediacy of social messaging platforms to improve opinion polling, recruiting larger, more representative panels and engaging with them more efficiently. It was founded in 2016 with high profile polling errors from both sides of the Atlantic fresh in the memory.

TLT, which acts for a wide range of fast-growth technology companies and technology investment funds, including in the fast-growing AI and robotics industries, provided end to end legal support and advice to Poli including on the terms of the investment. The team was led by corporate partner Jon Gill alongside Nicole Spurling, Dan Akers and Matthew Howells. 

TLT also advised the founders of Poli – Andy Littledale, Lee Carre, Dan Fairs and Ted Littledale – on the sale of their social media analytics business, SecondSync, to Twitter in 2014. 

Andy Littledale, CEO at Poli, says: "Understanding what people think is important. Decisions are not made in a vacuum, but in the context of the views of others around us and bad polling is bad for democracy. We have developed a solution that not only improves the quality of polling data, but addresses a user need. We help people to see through partisan media stories on social media with objective data about what the country really thinks on issues that matter.

"TLT was able to help us understand what investors are currently looking for and how we might prepare our business for this investment. We are grateful for their expert advice and help with making sure the investment process went as smoothly as possible." 

Jon Gill, partner at TLT, comments: "Digital disruption is affecting every sector, creating opportunities for companies like Poli to help clients thrive in the digital world. Venture capital and private equity investors recognise this and we are seeing a very high level of activity in this area at present.

"We were delighted to work with Andy and his team again, having advised on their previous transaction with Twitter, and look forward to supporting their growth as they drive the business forward."