Howden Ventures
We invest in startups with fresh ideas and innovative technologies that serve the insurance industry.
Howden Ventures launched in October 2023 to create an investment and risk incubator that will fast-track insurance product development.
We draw expertise and resources from specialist innovation teams across the global insurance market – and we've got a world-first delegated underwriting authority, backed by leading Lloyd’s underwriters, that provides £500m of syndicated underwriting capacity to support the development of new insurance solutions.
We want to bring solutions to new emerging risks in a fast-paced, interconnected world – driven by a changing climate, disruptive technology, macro-economic uncertainty, shifting demographics and geopolitical pressures.
Read more about our launch.
Innovation is all about working together and, for the first time, Howden Ventures will assemble the most innovative thinkers in the insurance ecosystem to help solve some of the world’s most critical risks.
What we look for
We're seeking startups that meet our investment criteria:
Stage of funding: pre-seed or seed stage
Class of business: specialty, excluding cyber, credit and long-tail liability
Target market: mid- to large-sized clients focused on B2B
Geographical focus: entities based in the UK and USA
Proposition: climate- and/or tech-related businesses
What we offer
We empower the best entrepreneurs with:
Investment
Underwriting capacity
Distribution
Technological advisory
Product design
Operations and governance
Our portfolio
CetoAI
In October 2023 we announced the first recipient of our first investment: CetoAI, which provides predictive analytics to the maritime industry.
Rosetta Risk Management
Our second investment is with Rosetta Risk Management (RRM), which aggregates construction risk performance data for insurers, brokers, contractors, developers and lenders.
We support new businesses, product development and insurance innovation.
Howden Ventures is a sponsor of Startup Sherpas
Startup Sherpas is a social enterprise that provides paid work experience to young people aged 13 to 19, taking them through the full design process including idea generation, customer persona development, first-person research and prototyping. Participants are paid for their work while fostering the development of essential skills centred around the four Cs – communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking – outside the classroom.
Meet the team
Tom Hoad
Tom Hoad
Head of Howden Ventures
Tom has nearly 20 years’ experience in insurance. He started his career advising multinational banks and infrastructure funds on the insurance and risk management aspects of Project Finance and M&A, all while completing his Master's in Insurance and Risk Management at Bayes Business School, which he achieved with Distinction.
Since 2011 Tom has designed and launched dozens of new insurance products to market that span technology, climate, intangibles and parametric solutions, in addition to playing a key role in various start-up investments. Tom also formed and initially chaired the Lloyd’s Product Innovation Facility, now the Lloyd’s Launchpad, and is committed to the development of innovation at Lloyd’s.
Acacia Taylor
Acacia Taylor
Investment Associate
Acacia is an Investment Associate at Howden Ventures with nearly 8 years of insurance experience. She has held various roles within the industry ranging from actuarial and strategic advisory to investment banking. She has an MSc in Finance from London Business School and a BSc in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics from Kingston University.
Tanya Pellegrini
Tanya Pellegrini
Partnership Assistant
Tanya is the Partnership Assistant at Howden Ventures. As a qualified journalist with a degree in Media and Communication from the University of Leicester, she previously worked as a reporter for a local news channel in Italy and has experience in PR and brand marketing. She joined Howden through the Pioneers programme and is looking to bring an external perspective to support the growth of the group.
Charlie Coker
Charlie Coker
Venture Scout
Charlie has experience as a Junior Credit and Political Risk Underwriter at a Lloyds of London Syndicate, and at a VC fund. He has an MSc in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment from University College London and a BSc in Biochemistry from Cardiff University. As Howden Ventures' Venture Scout he is responsible for researching emerging trends in the insurance and VC sectors, as well as securing deal flow.
Georgianna Lucy
Georgianna Lucy
Personal Assistant
Georgianna is a skilled PA with 8 years of experience in the role. Her background includes working in a law firm before transitioning to the insurance industry in 2022. In her current role, she manages schedules and oversees various tasks, making her essential to the success of Howden Ventures.
