adeus: Pioneering the Future of Wills with a £500,000 Innovate UK Grant
May 22, 2025, 9:37 pm
In a world where technology reshapes every aspect of life, the realm of wills and legacy planning is finally catching up. Enter adeus, a London-based startup that has just secured a £500,000 Smart Grant from Innovate UK. This funding marks a significant leap toward modernizing the age-old process of will-writing, paving the way for electronic wills in England and Wales.
Founded in 2024 by visionaries Nick Adams and Mark Hedley, adeus aims to revolutionize how we think about end-of-life planning. The company’s platform offers a digital-first approach, making the creation and management of wills as simple as a few clicks. With this grant, adeus is set to accelerate the development of proprietary technology that will support the legal shift toward electronic wills, a move that could redefine the landscape of legacy planning.
The timing of this announcement is no coincidence. Just days before the grant was awarded, the Law Commission released its report on ‘Modernising Wills Law.’ This report outlines necessary reforms to the Victorian-era Wills Act of 1837, which has long dictated that wills must be handwritten and signed on paper. The proposed changes will allow for electronic wills, a shift that could streamline the process and reduce the potential for errors that have historically plagued will-writing.
In a world where digital signatures and online transactions are the norm, the legal framework surrounding wills has remained stubbornly archaic. adeus seeks to change that. The platform not only allows users to create and manage their wills online but also securely stores essential documents and guides users through the often daunting process of legacy planning. The goal is clear: to make end-of-life planning simpler, smarter, and more accessible.
The grant from Innovate UK is more than just financial support; it’s a validation of adeus’s vision. The founders believe that the transition to electronic wills represents one of the most significant legal changes in a generation. With the backing of the government’s innovation agency, adeus is poised to build the technological infrastructure necessary to make this vision a reality.
While the focus is currently on England and Wales, adeus’s platform is already operational in over 15 countries. This international presence speaks to the company’s ambition to become a global leader in digital legacy planning. The legaltech and deathtech markets are burgeoning, and adeus is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution.
The implications of electronic wills extend beyond mere convenience. By digitizing the will-writing process, adeus aims to improve accessibility for all. Many individuals find the traditional process intimidating and complex, often leading to incomplete or contested documents. Electronic wills could simplify this process, making it more user-friendly and less prone to errors.
Moreover, the move aligns with broader governmental and industry efforts to digitize legal and civic procedures. As society becomes increasingly digital, the legal sector must adapt. The legaltech market in the UK and Europe is experiencing steady growth, driven by a demand for more accessible and cost-effective legal services. According to a 2024 report by Tech Nation, legaltech investment in the UK surpassed £300 million last year, with wills and estate planning emerging as key growth areas.
adeus is not alone in this space. It joins a growing cohort of startups, including Farewill, FreeWill, and Tomorrow, all striving to make legacy planning more digitally native. However, adeus sets itself apart with a strong emphasis on legal compliance, document security, and international scalability. This focus could provide a competitive edge as the market evolves.
The Smart Grant funding will enable adeus to enhance its technical architecture and ensure regulatory alignment ahead of any formal legislative changes. This proactive approach could offer the startup a first-mover advantage in a rapidly changing landscape. As the legal framework shifts to accommodate electronic wills, adeus is well-positioned to lead the charge.
In conclusion, adeus is not just another tech startup; it’s a harbinger of change in the legal landscape. With the backing of Innovate UK and a clear vision for the future, the company is set to transform how we approach wills and legacy planning. The journey from paper to pixels is not just a technological shift; it’s a cultural one. As we embrace the digital age, adeus stands ready to guide us through the complexities of end-of-life planning with clarity and confidence. The future of wills is here, and it’s electronic.
Founded in 2024 by visionaries Nick Adams and Mark Hedley, adeus aims to revolutionize how we think about end-of-life planning. The company’s platform offers a digital-first approach, making the creation and management of wills as simple as a few clicks. With this grant, adeus is set to accelerate the development of proprietary technology that will support the legal shift toward electronic wills, a move that could redefine the landscape of legacy planning.
The timing of this announcement is no coincidence. Just days before the grant was awarded, the Law Commission released its report on ‘Modernising Wills Law.’ This report outlines necessary reforms to the Victorian-era Wills Act of 1837, which has long dictated that wills must be handwritten and signed on paper. The proposed changes will allow for electronic wills, a shift that could streamline the process and reduce the potential for errors that have historically plagued will-writing.
In a world where digital signatures and online transactions are the norm, the legal framework surrounding wills has remained stubbornly archaic. adeus seeks to change that. The platform not only allows users to create and manage their wills online but also securely stores essential documents and guides users through the often daunting process of legacy planning. The goal is clear: to make end-of-life planning simpler, smarter, and more accessible.
The grant from Innovate UK is more than just financial support; it’s a validation of adeus’s vision. The founders believe that the transition to electronic wills represents one of the most significant legal changes in a generation. With the backing of the government’s innovation agency, adeus is poised to build the technological infrastructure necessary to make this vision a reality.
While the focus is currently on England and Wales, adeus’s platform is already operational in over 15 countries. This international presence speaks to the company’s ambition to become a global leader in digital legacy planning. The legaltech and deathtech markets are burgeoning, and adeus is positioning itself at the forefront of this evolution.
The implications of electronic wills extend beyond mere convenience. By digitizing the will-writing process, adeus aims to improve accessibility for all. Many individuals find the traditional process intimidating and complex, often leading to incomplete or contested documents. Electronic wills could simplify this process, making it more user-friendly and less prone to errors.
Moreover, the move aligns with broader governmental and industry efforts to digitize legal and civic procedures. As society becomes increasingly digital, the legal sector must adapt. The legaltech market in the UK and Europe is experiencing steady growth, driven by a demand for more accessible and cost-effective legal services. According to a 2024 report by Tech Nation, legaltech investment in the UK surpassed £300 million last year, with wills and estate planning emerging as key growth areas.
adeus is not alone in this space. It joins a growing cohort of startups, including Farewill, FreeWill, and Tomorrow, all striving to make legacy planning more digitally native. However, adeus sets itself apart with a strong emphasis on legal compliance, document security, and international scalability. This focus could provide a competitive edge as the market evolves.
The Smart Grant funding will enable adeus to enhance its technical architecture and ensure regulatory alignment ahead of any formal legislative changes. This proactive approach could offer the startup a first-mover advantage in a rapidly changing landscape. As the legal framework shifts to accommodate electronic wills, adeus is well-positioned to lead the charge.
In conclusion, adeus is not just another tech startup; it’s a harbinger of change in the legal landscape. With the backing of Innovate UK and a clear vision for the future, the company is set to transform how we approach wills and legacy planning. The journey from paper to pixels is not just a technological shift; it’s a cultural one. As we embrace the digital age, adeus stands ready to guide us through the complexities of end-of-life planning with clarity and confidence. The future of wills is here, and it’s electronic.