Turn insurance fundraising patterns into action.
Build an evidence-based insurance fundraising process
Start with capital fit, not a logo list
Separate the help your company needs from the prestige you want. A carrier-backed strategic investor can introduce underwriting, distribution, claims, and capacity partners, while a financial specialist may move faster and avoid channel conflict. Write down your stage, insurance line, geography, regulatory model, and preferred capital type before researching firms. Then use the investor database to create a focused longlist and the matcher to rank likely fits. This prevents broad outreach from consuming the time needed for the firms most able to underwrite the opportunity.
Verify activity before starting outreach
A published thesis is not proof that a fund is actively deploying. Review recent deals, the partner associated with each investment, follow-on behavior, and whether the firm still has an insurance mandate. For public carriers, use SEC EDGAR filings to validate corporate structure and current disclosures. Use NAIC research for insurance-market and regulatory context. Confirm material claims at the primary source before relying on a profile or third-party announcement.
Design the round as a complementary syndicate
Treat fundraising as a portfolio-design problem. Identify a credible lead, then map strategic and financial co-investors whose strengths do not duplicate one another. Compare shared cap tables to see which firms already work together and use reported round sizes as directional benchmarks rather than promises. Build a short evidence note for every target: why the thesis fits, which recent deal proves activity, what value the firm may add, and who can make a trusted introduction. Run outreach in coordinated waves so investor feedback can improve the story without leaving the strongest prospects until the end.
Strategic vs. financial money
Corporate VCs (AmFam Ventures, Allianz X, MS&AD, Aflac) bring carrier pilots, distribution and underwriting capacity — but move slower and may spook rival carriers as customers. Financial specialists (Markd, MTech, Brewer Lane, FinTLV) move faster and stay neutral. Many founders take one of each per round.
Compare investor typesBuilding an MGA or full-stack carrier?
Prioritize investors who can bring risk capacity, not just cash: Insurtech Gateway (FCA cover from day one), Greenlight Re, SCOR Ventures, HSCM (reinsurer capital), IA Capital & ManchesterStory (dozens of carrier LPs), and Markd (insurance-operator GP).
Find specialist capitalCyber insurance is its own lane
The biggest cyber rounds were led by Allianz X (Coalition $250M), ICONIQ (At-Bay $185M) and Munich Re-linked funds. If you're a cyber MGA, lead with loss-ratio data and target these plus QBE Ventures and FinTLV.
Search cyber dealsHealth insurance ≠ insurtech VCs
Health-plan startups raise from payer CVCs — Optum Ventures, Cigna Ventures, CVS Health Ventures, Blue Venture Fund, Kaiser Permanente Ventures — and generalists with payer exits (General Catalyst → Oscar). Standard P&C insurtech funds rarely cross over.
Browse health investorsRaising in Europe
Seed: Astorya.vc, Insurtech Gateway, Speedinvest. Series A–B: CommerzVentures, Earlybird, BlackFin, Target Global, UNIQA Ventures. Growth: Mundi Ventures, AVP, Allianz X. UK mobility precedent: Zego went Balderton → Target Global → DST.
Filter Europe/UKCold outreach reality check
Easiest cold entry points: InsurTech NY and Plug and Play (open applications), Speedinvest (open pitch form), Astorya & Insurtech Gateway (small funds that actively source). Generalists (Sequoia, Founders Fund, DST) effectively require warm intros.
Build a shortlistCheck fund status before pitching
Munich Re Ventures is folding new investing into MEAG, and Avanta Ventures is reportedly winding down. Insurtech corporate venture comes and goes with insurer strategy — always confirm a fund's last 12 months of deals.
Check recent activityWhat round sizes look like
Benchmarks from the deal tracker: Seed $3–6M; Series A $15–30M (Insurify $23M, Kettle $25M); Series B $30–85M (Akur8 $30M, Ethos $35M); breakout rounds $100M+ (Pie $315M, Coalition $250M, wefox $650M). Size your ask accordingly.
Review round sizesUse syndicates, not single targets
Insurance rounds are usually built from a lead + strategic co-investors. Check the Syndicates tab: Pie combined Allianz X + Acrew + Centerbridge; Akur8 paired BlackFin + MTech. Pitch complementary pairs in parallel.
Map co-investors