Meet Khalil Zlaoui, Founder & CEO at CaseBlink:
Khalil Zlaoui is the Founder and CEO of CaseBlink, an innovative AI-powered platform revolutionizing the immigration legal industry. Drawing from his experience at Google, where he spearheaded AI projects for the healthcare team, Khalil launched CaseBlink to streamline visa application processes. His platform automates the most writing-intensive applications, enabling law firms to complete months of work in just a fraction of the time. In just over a year, CaseBlink secured $1.1 million in pre-seed funding, underscoring its potential to reshape legal workflows. Khalil’s expertise lies at the intersection of technology and legal innovation, making him a leading voice in leveraging AI to solve complex industry challenges.
Listen Up: Khalil Zlaoui, Founder & CEO at CaseBlink — Full Podcast Episode on Spotify
Watch Now: Vit’s In-Depth Talk with Khalil Zlaoui
Quick Read: Khalil Zlaoui, Founder & CEO at CaseBlink, Interview Highlight
The Genesis of CaseBlink
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Khalil Zlaoui, the co-founder and CEO of CaseBlink, on the Default Global podcast. Khalil’s journey is a captivating one, marked by personal experiences that fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. When I inquired about the inspiration behind CaseBlink, Khalil shared how his own odyssey through the complex US immigration system, having applied for numerous visas over seven years, laid the foundation for his venture.
He reflected:
“I really ended up understanding this industry without really working in it,”
This, combined with his expertise in AI and machine learning, sparked the idea to streamline the labor-intensive process using technology.
The Immensity of the Immigration Law Sector
During our conversation, Khalil revealed some staggering figures about the immigration law sector. With about 10 million filings annually, the scale of this industry is monumental. Khalil mentioned that CaseBlink chose to target complex, writing-intensive visas where automation was previously nonexistent. This niche, he noted, was ripe for innovation, providing a unique opportunity to revolutionize the sector. As a global entrepreneur myself, I recognize the profound impact AI can have on transforming such large, traditional markets.
Lawyers, Fees, and Automation
I was curious about the financial implications of CaseBlink’s technology on law firms. Khalil explained that most immigration cases are charged a flat fee, ranging from $4,000 to over $30,000. By automating time-consuming tasks, CaseBlink aims to drastically reduce the hours lawyers spend on cases, potentially lowering fees and increasing access to justice.
Khalil emphasized:
“It’s going to increase access to justice. Someone who cannot afford to pay $10,000 or $15,000, maybe they will find lawyers that will charge $3,000.”
The Fundraising Journey
Raising $1.1 million in pre-seed funding is no small feat, especially in a specialized field like immigration law. Khalil candidly shared insights from his fundraising journey, underscoring the importance of timing and market relevance. Participating in an accelerator program provided crucial exposure to investors, which Khalil identified as a pivotal factor in their success. He also highlighted the necessity of clearly articulating the market opportunity and the transformative potential of AI in legal tech.
“Our innovation was sort of like early on,”
he said, reflecting on the timing of their entry into the market.
The Challenge of Pitching LegalTech
Khalil outlined the essential components of their pitch deck, which included market size, technological innovation, and the compelling narrative of CaseBlink’s potential to disrupt the status quo. While raising funds, the team initially faced ambiguity about whether to target consumers directly or focus on B2B offerings. This decision proved challenging, but ultimately, they refined their strategy to better align with investor expectations.
Remote Teams and Investor Concerns
Given CaseBlink’s international team, I was interested in how this dynamic affected investor perceptions. Khalil acknowledged that some investors raised concerns about remote work arrangements, though it wasn’t a major obstacle for most. He sees the distributed team as a strength, allowing for 24/7 problem-solving and a diverse talent pool.
“The world is global, as you know,”
he remarked, echoing my own views on the advantages of international teams in today’s interconnected business landscape.
Advice for Future Founders
As our conversation drew to a close, I asked Khalil for advice for founders looking to raise funds in 2024. He shared three key insights: being protective of your time, ensuring alignment with investors’ stages and interests, and maintaining a meticulous process for tracking interactions. These principles, though tailored to his specific experience, resonate broadly with any entrepreneur navigating the complex fundraising landscape.
In summary, my discussion with Khalil Zlaoui of CaseBlink highlighted the transformative power of AI in the legal sector, the nuances of fundraising in a niche industry, and the strategic considerations for global teams. His journey exemplifies the potential for technology to disrupt and democratize traditionally complex and costly processes, offering valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses alike.
