R/GA is expanding its successful Ventures initiative globally, launching its first UK program in association with InnovateUK. The London-based Venture Studio program is designed to help early-stage and growth-stage startups creating connected products and services to level up as businesses and brands on a global scale.  The expansion of digital into the physical world, often called the “Internet of Things”, has created an explosion of investment and innovation.  Much like electricity became an invisible component in products and infrastructure in the last century, software and data are becoming embedded at the core of almost everything.  Early applications developed core technologies and explored the market. Now it is up to the next generation of startups to build this foundation, creating meaningful value through products and services that touch the world outside the screen.

R/GA IoT Venture Studio UK

Anthemis Group is a multi-stage asset management platform that cultivates change in the financial system by investing in, growing, and sustaining businesses committed to resiliency, transparency, access and equity. Founded in 2010, our deep understanding of markets and models, passion for emerging technology and values inspire everything we do. By creating fertile ground for a diverse group of startups, investors, entrepreneurs, institutions, academics, and visionaries to converge, we believe we can solve the financial systems’ most pressing challenges faster, better and for the benefit of all.

Anthemis

Plug and Play is a seed and early-stage investor focused on great teams leading emerging growth companies.  Plug and Play runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs twice a year, that acts as a platform for major corporations and high quality startups to connect and collaborate.  Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Plug and Play participates in Seed, Angel and Series A funding where they often co-invest with their strategic partners. Through years of experience and as part of their network, Plug and Play has put together a world-class network of serial entrepreneurs, strategic investors, and industry leaders who actively assist the firm with its successful and growing investment portfolio.  SEED ROUND. Plug and Play participates in seed round investing through a program called Startup Camp. Startup Camp is a 10-week program based in Silicon Valley for top-notch entrepreneurs to work intensively on building out their business model. Select startups will refine their business models and prototypes with help from a combination of structured workshops, speaker series and mentorship sessions, as well as active coaching from their investment team. At the culmination of Startup Camp, founders will have crystalized their business plans and pitched their company to the venture capital community at EXPO Demo Day.''  ANGEL ROUND Plug and Play makes angel round investments throughout the year, sourced from their monthly Plug and Play Angels (PAPA) sessions. They are partnered with local angel investors in Silicon Valley who participate in PAPA to find the most promising startups and best new technologies.  SERIES A. Series A typical Series A round is in the range of $2 million to $10 million, and is intended to provide operating capital for the company for six months to two years. This round capitalizes the company as it develops its products, performs initial marketing and branding, acquires talent, and conducts other early-stage business operations. It is in this stage that Plug and Play will co-invest with over 180 venture capital partners.  Plug and Play has helped grow market leaders such as PayPal, Danger, Google, DropBox, LendingClub, Zoosk, SoundHound, CreditSesame, Skytree, and has over 400 more early-stage startups in its portfolio.

Plug and Play

Downing Ventures is a division of Downing LLP. They invest venture capital into early and growth stage technology businesses. Our belief is that technology now forms an integral part of the everyday lives of consumers, corporations and governments. Further, they believe that they are now experiencing the benefits of the second wave of technology development, which is now based on sound infrastructure. Investing into this trend, they look for: Visionary entrepreneurs, with the ability to execute as well as dream. Large (potential) addressable markets. Distinct product / service advantages. Limited adoption risk for customers. They seek to invest 250,000 to 5 million per company. They will  invest in seed-stage deals and Series A deals, and then look to continue to support those companies through phases of subsequent growth. Fundamentally, they back entrepreneurs. They are supportive, hopefully helpful, investors.

Downing Ventures

Seed + Speed Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on seed investments. They invest in software startups mainly in the B2B sector mostly in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. As part of the Maschmeyer Group with offices in Hanover, Munich, Berlin, and San Francisco, they provide innovative startups with equity investments and free of charge sales support.

seed + speed Ventures

Dig Started provides portfolios with access to an unparalleled portfolio success model, focused on clearing the hurdles of early company building and more. Dig Ventures is a pre-seed and seed-stage fund investing in B2B SaaS and cloud infrastructure companies in Europe, Israel, and the US.

Dig Ventures

The R/GA Accelerator is a three-month, immersive, mentor-driven program for early-stage startups that are not only innovating products, services, and experiences, but also exploring new business models that exploit emerging technology.  We amplify investment capital by leveraging the agency’s in-house teams of world-class designers, brand strategists, and creative technologists as well as the agency’s mentor network of global brand leaders.  The combination of investment capital, creative capital, and our global network gives our start-up partners an ''unfair advantage'' as they go to market and scale.

R/GA Accelerator

The stated aim of LCIF is not to fund London tech businesses that otherwise would not get funded but rather to enable those who can raise, to raise significantly more so that they have a sufficient money, time and resources to prove their business model. This way London based tech startups will be more able to raise their next round of funding and thereafter become the great tech companies that London so wants and requires. The London Co-Investment Fund was launched by the Deputy Mayor of London on the 4th December at City Hall. LCIF six co-investment partners has been selected based on their excellent track records of investing and supporting early stage tech businesses in London.

London Co-Investment Fund

Tech Nation Fintech is helping UK fintech startups scale, at home and abroad. Their new fintech programme is aimed at company founders. Through a 24 hour induction, series of in-depth learning sessions, networking events and a three-day international showcase trip, you’ll become part of the very first Tech Nation Fintech cohort. Insights sessions will be delivered by some of the most established fintech entrepreneurs, investors and partners, who will cover topics such as regulation, partnering with banks and expanding internationally.

Tech Nation Fintech

R/GA Ventures goes beyond financial capital to provide access to R/talent GA's and extensive client network to founders. It is developing an innovation platform to assist industry leaders in disrupting business as usual by connecting them with groundbreaking technologies and emerging players that can open up new doors. Beyond financial capital, R/GA Ventures connects early- and growth-stage startups with its creative talent, clients, and innovative program partners. Its flexible financing terms help businesses at every stage of funding and growth. It invests at current market valuations in each of its program companies.

R/GA Ventures

Social Capital is a Menlo Park-based investment firm whose mission is to advance humanity by solving the world’s hardest problems. By harnessing technology to address core human needs, they aim to drive a bottom-up redistribution of power, capital and opportunity. To achieve this, they're building a new kind of company and a platform for empowering brilliant entrepreneurs and breakthrough products. Founded in 2011, the company is based in Menlo Park, California, United States.

Social Capital

Octopus Ventures is a venture capital firm that offers support to companies at various stages of their journey, from idea conception to IPO. They allocate over £200 million annually to invest in sectors such as health, fintech, deep tech, consumer, and B2B software, with a focus on making a positive impact. Their experienced team assists portfolio companies in scaling rapidly. Octopus Ventures' investment philosophy extends beyond monetary support, involving time, energy, and focus to work closely with founders for success. Notable companies they have backed include ManyPets, Cazoo, Depop, Elvie, and WaveOptics. Their operations span London and New York, with a network of partners in the U.S. and Asia.

Octopus Ventures

CommerzVentures specializes in early- and growth-stage companies in the financial services and insurance sectors. Established in 2014 as the venture capital fund of Commerzbank. Independent investment management company since 2019. CommerzVentures is a return-driven, non-strategic venture capital investor. We back early- and growth-stage companies in the financial services and insurance sectors, starting at Series A. We aspire to invest in the very best startups in a given sector. For their portfolio companies, we offer access to key decision makers across the banking and insurance industry. Our initial investment size ranges from €2 million to €10 million. We invest mostly in Europe, Israel, and the USA, and are always looking to work with entrepreneurs who have vision and enthusiasm!

CommerzVentures

Family Office ~ Venture Investment Division

North West Quadrant Ventures ( NWQ Ventures)

Foresight Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on blockchain technology and the cryptocurrency industry. They invest early and make quick judgments, and their ecosystem, which includes the crypto-exchange Bitget and the crypto-wallet BitKeep, provides extensive assistance. They are committed to identifying disruptive innovation prospects for the future decades in the Web3.0 space, while maintaining transparency, multidisciplinary collaboration, internationalization, and long-termism, and offering a complete spectrum of assistance for initiatives from zero to one till success. Foresight Ventures was founded in 2021 and is based in Singapore.

Foresight Ventures

Flock

Flock is a fully digital insurance company for commercial motor fleets. We're on a mission to make the world quantifiably safer with connected insurance that enables and incentivises safer driving.   With Flock, safer fleets pay less. Iit's why hundreds of companies trust us to protect their vehicles and drivers including Virtuo and Jaguar Land Rover's luxury leasing firm, The Out. We're proud to be supported by some of the world's leading VCs, including Social Capital and Anthemis. Our goal is to become the world's leading fully digital insurer for connected and autonomous vehicles.

<div>London-based Flock provides connected fleet insurance for commercial motor vehicles, enabling and incentivizing safer driving habits. The company&rsquo;s real-time insurance product leverages millions of miles of driving, environmental, accident, and crime data to predict, price, and reduce vehicle risks accurately. As a result, safer driving is rewarded with lower insurance premiums.&nbsp;</div>

Simplifying the insurance experience for businesses using technology

InsurTech: Commercial Lines

FLock Awarded Ethereum Foundation Research Grant

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 London-based Flock provides connected fleet insurance for commercial motor vehicles, enabling and incentivizing safer driving habits. The company&rsquo;s real-time insurance product leverages millions of miles of driving, environmental, accident, and crime data to predict, price, and reduce vehicle risks accurately. As a result, safer driving is rewarded with lower insurance premiums.&nbsp;
 
 
 Flock reported over 30x revenue growth since July 2021 and claimed to have reduced its customers' crash frequency by 10% (February 2023).
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships&nbsp;
 
 
 As of February 2023, the company accounted for over 600 commercial fleet customers, including fleets from notable customers such as Jaguar Land Rover, a third of the UK's independent Amazon fleets.
 
 
 In January 2023, Flock struck a deal to cover connected insurance for Onto&rsquo;s electric car fleet, complete with real-time driving safety insights. Onto is one of the largest electric car subscription services in the UK.&nbsp;
 
 
 In December 2023, Flock announced a strategic partnership with insurer NIG to collaborate on a digital, data-driven approach to motor fleet insurance, combining a fully digital insurance management portal, rebates for safer driving, and safety and claims workshops. The partnership aimed to expand risk coverage capabilities across various commercial motor segments.
 
 
 Flock announced a partnership with Acorn Group, a taxi insurance provider, to offer commercial auto insurance for medium-sized and large taxi fleets in the UK. Through this partnership, Flock aimed to introduce the nation's sole &quot;connected&quot; insurance offering specifically designed for these fleets.
 
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 Next Insurance provides digital insurance solutions tailored specifically for small businesses. The company&rsquo;s product offering includes a range of insurance policies, including general liability, professional liability, commercial auto, and workers&rsquo; compensation. The company leverages AI and machine learning to streamline the insurance process, claiming to process policy requests within 10 seconds. It incorporates factors such as risk level, location, and other business-specific factors to provide policy proposals.&nbsp;
 
 
 In March 2021, Next Insurance acquired AP Intego, a digital agency specializing in small business commercial insurance. The acquisition was intended to expand Next Insurance&rsquo;s reach to more customers in new business classes. In December 2020, the company acquired Juniper Labs, a startup that automates underwriting for sellers insurance to small businesses, to expand its product offering.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 As of November 2023, Next Insurance reported around 500,000 active policyholders, spanning a diverse base of small businesses across various industries, from construction and retail to professional services and fitness.
 
 
 In March 2021, Next Insurance partnered with Amazon to offer insurance solutions to Amazon Prime Business members, providing tailored insurance coverage through the platform​​.&nbsp;
 
 
 In September 2023, Next Insurance partnered with Bold Penguin, an integrated digital solution platform that offers commercial insurance. Through this collaboration, independent insurance agents can access Next Insurance's tailored policies for small businesses, expanding the company's distribution channels.
 
 
 In November 2023, Next Insurance partnered with Allstate and Allianz X. The partnership with Allstate provided Next Insurance&rsquo;s products to Allstate&rsquo;s customers and collaborated on developing a new product for commercial auto insurance. The collaboration with Allianz X aimed to strengthen Next Insurance&rsquo;s reinsurance relationship with Allianz X.
 
 
 In March 2024, it partnered with Tensorflight, a property intelligence platform, to leverage Tensorflight&rsquo;s property data and risk models to enhance Next Insurance&rsquo;s underwriting process. 
 
 
 
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Next Insurance

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 Pie Insurance primarily provides workers' compensation to small businesses via an online platform. Pie Insurance uses data and analytics to offer tailored and cost-effective coverage. In addition, Pie Insurance offers commercial auto insurance and a range of supplementary services and products. These include a solution that combines workers' compensation with payroll processing, risk reduction programs, and employer-extended coverages. The company also provides access to an online library of safety training modules and a return-to-work program to facilitate the recovery and reintegration of injured employees.&nbsp;
 
 
 By May 2022, the company had increased its annualized run-rate premium to nearly USD 300 million.
 
 
 In 2023, Pie Insurance transitioned from a managing general agent to a full-stack insurance carrier after it acquired American Insurance Company.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships&nbsp;
 
 
 Pie Insurance primarily serves small businesses across various sectors, including construction, healthcare, and retail. The company provides its insurance products directly and through partnerships with local, regional, and national insurance agencies. In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31431">
 July 2024
 </a>
 , the company partnered with Ford to launch a usage-based offering as part of the &quot;Ford Pro Insure&quot; program, a commercial auto insurance solution designed for Ford Pro vehicle fleets.
 
 
 
 As of September 2022, the company had partnered with over 2,800 agencies nationwide. As of May 2024, Pie Insurance has expanded its coverage to 38 states and the District of Columbia.
 
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Pie Insurance

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 Zego is a London-based commercial motor insurer that provides flexible insurance products for fleets and self-employed drivers. The company utilizes telematics data and behavioral science to offer usage-based insurance (UBI) policies tailored to each customer's risk profile. Zego also provides B2B UBI for large fleet operators in the areas of private hire, delivery, and logistics. Through its digital-first fleet portal and risk management team, Zego delivers behavioral insights and actions that fleets can take to improve their safety and unlock up to 15% cashback on premiums.&nbsp;
 
 
 Zego's key product differentiator is its ability to optimize fleet performance, cut costs, and improve road safety. According to the company, its customers can save up to 20% on premiums at renewal through proactive risk management and cut annual insurance claims by up to 10%.&nbsp;
 
 
 In December 2020, Zego acquired telematics solution provider Drivit for an undisclosed amount. Zego had an ongoing partnership with Drivit for its telematics-based policies, and aspects of Drivit&rsquo;s platform were embedded into Zego&rsquo;s telematics app, &ldquo;Zego Sense.&rdquo; The acquisition allowed Zego to collect Drivit&rsquo;s data as a first-party partner.
 
 
 In FY2022, Zego reported net revenue of GBP 11.5 million, a slight increase compared to GBP 10.8 million earned in FY2021, while its net loss worsened to GBP 59 million from GBP 36 million over the same period.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships&nbsp;
 
 
 The company formed notable partnerships with established insurers to enhance its product offerings. As of May 2024, Zego offered more than 58 million insurance policies and covered more than 500,000 vehicles across five countries. Zego supported fleets and drivers working for last-mile companies like Amazon, Uber, BP, and Deliveroo.&nbsp;
 
 
 In June 2020, Zego partnered with telematics provider ABAX to bundle the latter's offerings with Zego&rsquo;s UBI products for fleet operators. The partnership was extended in August 2023, marking the fourth year of collaboration.
 
 
 In March 2022, Zego signed a multi-year deal with Aviva to provide tailored fleet policies to trades and haulage businesses, enabling it to pair its behavioral insights, data, and telematics capabilities with Aviva's expertise in fleet underwriting and claims.
 
 
 In June 2022, it partnered with Ryde, a last-mile delivery company, to provide auto insurance to the latter&rsquo;s network of over 30,000 couriers (May 2024).
 
 
 In August 2022, Zego partnered with insurance carrier QBE to underwrite its behavior-led fleet product, leveraging telematics data to offer a comprehensive view of a fleet's risk profile. The partnership was further extended in November 2022.
 
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Zego

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 Embroker offers a range of insurance products, including directors and officers insurance, employment practices liability, cyber, professional liability, and more. Its digital platform allows businesses to obtain quotes, manage policies, and handle claims online. The company uses predictive, data-driven underwriting models to automate underwriting and improve the accuracy of risk assessment. It claims that its algorithmic-based risk management reduces premiums for businesses by up to 20%.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships&nbsp;
 
 
 Embroker specifically catered to funded startups, tech companies, law firms, and consultants and served over 40,000 customers as of May 2024.&nbsp;
 
 
 In July 2023, the company announced strategic partnerships with Dashlane, a security-first password management provider, and Cowbell, a cyber insurance provider for SMEs. Embroker aimed to enhance customer security using Dashlane&rsquo;s cyber protection services and expand its cyber liability offering by providing Cowbell Cyber Insurance to existing and prospective customers.&nbsp;
 
 
 In November 2023, the company entered into a strategic partnership with Ascend, a provider of financial operations automation software for insurers. Through this partnership, Embroker aimed to leverage Ascend&rsquo;s technological capabilities to improve operational efficiency and optimize its risk management process.
 
 
 
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Embroker

<div>
 
 Foresight Commercial Insurance (Foresight) focuses on providing workers' compensation insurance specifically designed for safety-critical industries, such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and landscaping. The company&rsquo;s approach leverages data-informed underwriting and safety engagement tools to offer tailored insurance solutions​. Foresight claims to differentiate itself through its proprietary safety technology platform, Safesite, which aims to reduce workplace incidents by promoting a culture of safety and proactive risk management. Through this, the company claims to have reduced claims frequency by 17% on average as of August 2023.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships&nbsp;
 
 
 Foresight serves a range of mid-sized businesses, particularly those in high-risk industries.&nbsp;
 
 
 In July 2023, Foresight partnered with CLARA Analytics, a leading AI platform for claims optimization, to implement CLARA's Triage module. This integration allowed Foresight to proactively manage claims, accelerate claim cycles, and collaborate effectively with third-party administrators (TPAs) in the event of workplace injuries.
 
 
 In November 2023, the company entered into a strategic partnership with QBE North America, allowing Foresight to write policies on QBE's paper, thus extending its reach and capacity and allowing the company to expand into new product lines. 
 
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Foresight Commercial Insurance

Startups that offer insurance covering financial losses from claims of injury or damage caused by the business’s actions or products, including general, product, and professional liability.

Startups offering auto insurance and usage-based insurance products specifically tailored for businesses, including fleet operators.

Startups that provide coverage to protect physical property, including business buildings, inventory, and contents.

Startups that provide coverage for medical expenses and lost wages incurred by employees injured or falling ill while on the job.

Startups offering insurance covering lost income and additional expenses incurred when a business is unable to operate due to covered perils such as fire, natural disasters, or other disruptions.

Companies in the turnkey and value chain infrastructure segments operate under a B2B SaaS

Infrastructure segments provide AI/ML-based products for carriers to use

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
Flock, a digital fleet insurance provider based in London, has entered a partnership with Admiral Pioneer, a venture-building business part of the Admiral Group. This partnership is designed to expand Flock's fleet insurance services. The collaboration seeks to utilize Flock's innovative solutions and Admiral Pioneer's insurance expertise to create a unique fleet insurance product. This product will first be introduced to courier fleets, business fleets such as tradespeople and service vehicles, and short-term rental companies. Customers can access it directly or via Flock's broker network.
 The partnership will allow Flock to incentivize safer driving by offering premium rebates of up to 10%. They will also provide real-time safety portals and regular safety reviews, which are intended to promote effective safety practices. 
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Flock

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