Companies Collaborate to Support Financial Technology and Insurance Technology based Startups
MINNEAPOLIS – December 6, 2018 – To help support innovative financial technology (FinTech) and insurance technology (InsurTech) startups, Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®), has announced a strategic partnership with SixThirty, a St. Louis-based venture fund that specializes in investing in and scaling up FinTech and InsurTech startups.
The new, multi-year, partnership will enable Allianz Life Ventures to mentor SixThirty portfolio companies, build networking opportunities and help startups with strategic planning. In return, the startups will be able to leverage Allianz Life Venture’s deep expertise, financial resources and global network of partners.
Mentoring Start-Ups
“With this partnership, we are excited to be able to mentor some of the most forward-thinking startups in the industry and help them overcome their unique challenges in order to grow and meet their goals,” said Emily Reitan, vice president of strategy and business development, Allianz Life. “SixThirty’s diverse pipeline of FinTech and InsurTech startups will allow us to build strategic relationships and further drive innovation in the industry.”
As part of the partnership, Brian Muench, vice president of investment management at Allianz Life, will join the organization’s investment committee, which evaluates the investment pipeline and selects startups that SixThirty invests in.
“Our partnership with Allianz Life shines a spotlight on the collaboration between FinTech/InsurTech catalysts and the world’s leading financial services firms,” said Atul Kamra, managing partner, SixThirty. “The company’s global expertise, reach and resources will be a huge leg up for SixThirty’s portfolio companies, and in moving our collaborative work forward.”
Started in 2013, SixThirty invests in eight to 12 early-stage startups each year from around the world. In addition to receiving funding, the selected companies also participate in the SixThirty go-to-market program that offers mentorship, collaboration and networking with some of the leading incumbents in the financial services industry. To date, SixThirty has invested in 44 startups.
About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2018, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. In 2017, Allianz Life provided a total of $2.7 billion in benefit payments that supported policyholders’ financial objectives. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 142,000 employees in more than 70 countries worldwide. More than 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.
About Allianz Life Ventures
Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), makes investments in North American companies with potential market traction and a demonstrated ability to drive innovation. Allianz Life Ventures is uniquely positioned to leverage the financial strength and in-house expertise of Allianz Life to help our partners succeed. Active in all investment stages from seed and early stage to growth, current partners include: Core Innovation Capital, blooom, tomorrow, LifeYield, Gainfully, Vestwell, Ladder, and Covr.
About SixThirty
SixThirty is a global FinTech & InsurTech venture capital fund that invests in financial technology (FinTech) and insurance technology (InsurTech) startups and provides them with mentorship and connections to leading financial services companies. The startups receive up to a $250,000 initial investment in exchange for a negotiated percentage of equity. SixThirty’s portfolio companies receive individualized attention. The commitment of mentors and partners to work in the trenches with founders on their business models and accelerate their commercialization continues to be a differentiator for SixThirty. For more information please visit www.sixthirty.co.
