Starting a business is challenging enough, but doing it in the middle of a global pandemic requires an entirely new level of resilience. Greg Wildisen, co-founder of legal tech firm Panoram, shares his journey of building a company during COVID-19 and adapting to a rapidly changing industry. His story offers valuable insights for tech entrepreneurs, particularly those in custom software and app development, looking to navigate uncertainty, embrace innovation, and scale their ventures.

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From Law to Legal Tech: Finding the Right Niche

Wildisen’s journey into legal tech wasn’t accidental. With a business degree, a law degree from the University of Sydney, and experience as a paralegal at a top law firm, he saw firsthand how technology could revolutionize legal workflows. At the time, law firms relied on outdated systems, making document searches slow and inefficient. Convincing them to adopt databases for document discovery was a tough sell, but once they saw the efficiency gains, the potential for legal tech became undeniable.

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For entrepreneurs, this highlights a crucial lesson: The best startup ideas stem from lived experience and industry knowledge. Understanding a market’s pain points and introducing technology that solves real problems form the foundation of any successful software business.

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Pivoting in a Crisis: The COVID-19 Challenge

Wildisen and his co-founders launched Panoram with the goal of building an Enterprise Legal Platform on Microsoft 365, starting with Contract Lifecycle Management. Then COVID-19 hit. Suddenly, hiring talent, building a team, and acquiring customers became exponentially more difficult.

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With most tech solutions focused on health and safety rather than legal services, Panoram had to pivot. Instead of sticking to their original SaaS model, they expanded into professional services, helping corporate legal departments deploy technology and offering eDiscovery services to law firms. This shift not only kept them afloat but also accelerated their growth as they took on large-scale eDiscovery projects.

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For startup founders, this is a textbook example of adaptability. No matter how strong a business plan is, the market will change. The ability to pivot—whether by adjusting service offerings, shifting business models, or adopting emerging technologies—separates successful startups from those that don’t survive.

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The AI Revolution in Legal Tech

Panoram is now at the forefront of the Generative AI (GenAI) revolution in legal services. AI is transforming every industry, but legal tech is experiencing one of the most profound shifts. Legal work revolves around words, documents, and context—precisely what GenAI excels at processing.

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According to the 9th edition of the Legal Trends Report, AI adoption in the legal sector skyrocketed from 19 percent to 79 percent in 2024. Within just five years, manual document reviews and mundane legal tasks could become obsolete. The real opportunity now lies in AI-driven automation that enhances legal decision-making and efficiency.

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For tech entrepreneurs, this reinforces an important truth: Staying ahead in any industry requires embracing the latest technological shifts. Whether it is AI, blockchain, or cloud computing, integrating cutting-edge technology into software solutions can be the key to long-term success.

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Scaling with a Global Mindset

Panoram has heavily invested in research and development to position itself as a leader in GenAI-powered legal tech. Its platform is not just making legal professionals more efficient; it is redefining how legal work gets done.

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While its primary focus is on the UK market, Panoram’s vision is global. The company has built a foundation that allows it to scale across multiple jurisdictions, a strategy any ambitious tech startup should consider.

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For Australian entrepreneurs in custom software development, the takeaway is clear. Building a scalable product that can expand into global markets is not just a competitive advantage but a necessity. Whether developing legal tech, fintech, or enterprise solutions, designing with scalability and cross-border adoption in mind can unlock exponential growth.

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Lessons for Tech Entrepreneurs

Wildisen’s journey highlights key lessons that apply to any startup.

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- Solve a real problem – The best startups emerge from personal experience and industry pain points.
- Be ready to pivot – External factors, such as a global pandemic, can force a business to adapt quickly. Flexibility is key.
- Leverage emerging technology – Whether it is AI, automation, or blockchain, staying ahead of tech trends can be a game-changer.
- Think beyond borders – Designing for global scalability can future-proof a startup.

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For entrepreneurs looking to build innovative software solutions, the right development partner can make all the difference.

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With over a decade of experience and 500 global clients, You Source can help turn your vision into reality. Let’s build something great together.

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