General Insurance Article - Aviva announces partnership with Plug and Play

 The partnership initially aims to find digital insurance innovations through its InsurTech programme, which will launch in September. The project hopes to attract up to 1000 applications from start-ups looking to disrupt the insurance industry.

 Aviva will work with Plug and Play, and other programme partners, to select the most promising ideas, which will see 40-50 start-ups working out of Plug and Play’s headquarters and receiving hands-on support to develop their propositions.

 The partnership supports Aviva’s Digital First strategy, which aims to make dealing with Aviva simple and convenient for customers, and includes testing and developing new ideas aimed at making insurance and financial services more tailored and accessible to Aviva’s customers.

 It will also accelerate Aviva’s cultural transformation. Aviva people will have the opportunity to be seconded to Plug and Play and spend up to three months in Silicon Valley, giving them an understanding of the emerging technologies and the experience of working with talented technology experts on the West Coast of the USA.

 Monique Shivanandan, Chief Information Office at Aviva said; “I’m delighted we are working with Plug and Play, and see the partnership as a key way to move our culture and innovation forward rapidly.”

 Andrew Brem, Chief Digital Officer at Aviva said; “This partnership forms another exciting strand of our digital innovation strategy as well as providing opportunities for our people to work with leading entrepreneurs to explore new digital innovations and thinking.”

 Saeed Amidi, Founder & CEO of Plug and Play “It is a great pleasure to partner with such a forward-looking insurance company and it’s an honour to be part of their digital transformation. We look forward to pursuing innovative ideas in the UK and Europe, as well as building a bridge to Silicon Valley.”