Columbia Alumni’s AI Startup “August” Secures $7M to Serve Midsize Law Firms
New York-based AI startup August, founded in 2023 by Columbia University graduates Rutvik Rau, Thomas Bueler-Faudree, and Joseph Parker, has raised $7 million in seed funding to expand its legal technology solutions for midsize law firms. The round was led by NEA and Pear VC, with additional backing from notable angel investors, including Gokul Rajaram, Ramp’s VP of product Geoff Charles, OpenAI’s head of engineering David Azose, and Bain Capital Ventures partner Kevin Zhang.
August’s AI platform automates document-heavy and repetitive legal tasks, such as processing case law, contracts, and filings. By streamlining paperwork, the technology allows lawyers to focus on higher-value activities like client engagement and strategic planning—an especially valuable advantage for midsize firms that lack the resources of larger competitors.
Currently operating with a 12-person team, August plans to grow its workforce to 25–30 employees by the end of 2025. CEO Rutvik Rau emphasized that AI should act as a “strategic partner” to lawyers, boosting productivity while enhancing client service.
August enters a competitive legal AI market dominated by players like Harvey, an OpenAI-backed startup serving top-tier firms and large professional services organizations. Despite this, August is positioning itself as the go-to solution for mid-market legal practices seeking affordable and efficient AI-driven tools.