Partnering with zebra startups to drive innovation.

Venture Clients serve as early adopters, piloting cutting-edge innovations to drive impactful results. Unlike traditional Venture Capital models, we invest in the adoption and validation of a startup's product, service, or technology, without taking equity.

To apply, you have…

• Compelling use case: Your product, service, or technology must present a clear and impactful use case that enhances our operations or customer experience.
• Proven operative solution: Your startup should have a functional prototype or a working product that is ready to be tested and validated within the framework of our innovation program.
• Existing paying customer: Your startup must have at least one existing paying customer.
• Secured early-stage funding: Your startup should have either received funding from institutional investors.

Yes, we welcome startups from all industries! Some of the most impactful innovations in our program have come from outside the insurance industry. If your technology or solution has the potential to address challenges in the insurance sector, we’d love to hear from you.

The program typically lasts around 3 months. During this period, you will:

• Test and refine your solution: You will work closely with our team to integrate your solution into our insurance processes for thorough validation.
• Build connections: Establish relationships with influential decision-makers within our organization and the wider insurance network to drive your business forward.
• Co-create and showcase value: Collaborate with us to develop a strong use case and a business proposition that highlights how your solution addresses critical industry challenges, enhances efficiency, or improves customer experiences.

Startups will retain the intellectual property for their initial products and services. If a startup later collaborates with Zurich to co-develop new products or services using Zurich resources, a separate negotiation around intellectual property will take place.

Your data submitted will be handled according the Zurich privacy policy. Confidentiality agreements can be established between Zurich and startups that enter the program. Zurich will retain the submissions from startups as a pipeline of innovation and may contact startups for future collaboration opportunities at its discretion, regardless of whether they will be selected or not. Every startup has the right to request their submission to be completely removed from Zurich’s records and will receive confirmation of any such requests according to relevant data protection regulations. Requests for record deletion should be sent by e-mail to innovation@zurich.com.

By entering the Zurich Innovation Championship, the startups grant Zurich the right, without limitation or further permission or compensation, to retain the full content of the application(s), regardless of the selection status (accepted or not) in the venture client program of the Zurich Innovation Championship. The startup agrees that Zurich will have the right after the program, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion to contact any applicant regarding a possible business relationship with Zurich for further innovative initiatives.
By accepting Zurich as a venture client, startups grant Zurich the additional rights, without limitation or further permission or compensation, to use and publish their names in conjunction with the Zurich Innovation Championship.
The startup confirms to have read and understood these FAQs of the program and fully and unconditionally agree to comply with the rules described here. If the startup does not agree with any of the rules of these FAQs, they shall not register for the ZIC and shall not apply.
If you wish to exercise your statutory right to be forgotten, please contact us at innovation@zurich.com. We may ask you to provide a copy of your ID card or otherwise evidence of your identity. We will respond to your request within the applicable statutory term.