The latest installment of InsurPitch 2025, sponsored by PwC, took place in London on 26 June, drawing a vibrant crowd of insurtech innovators, investors, and industry leaders. The event was held at Blueprint London, a riverside venue that offers some of the best uninterrupted views of the city, including the Thames, Tower Bridge, and more, providing an inspiring backdrop for an evening of bold ideas and business transformation.
Guests enjoyed networking and refreshments at sunset while a live violinist provided elegant musical entertainment, adding a sophisticated touch to the evening’s atmosphere before the competition began.
Hosted during the evening reception, the live pitch event featured five insurtechs vying for a featured spot at the Guidewire Connections Conference in Las Vegas.
All five finalists were members of the Guidewire access-acceleration programme, Insurtech Vanguards, designed to connect forward-thinking startups with P&C insurers hungry for innovation. At the same time, it supports and grows best-in-class companies that become part of our broader insurtech partner ecosystem. Insurtech Vanguards is also a feeder for the Guidewire PartnerConnect programme.
The event was hosted by Guidewire Chief Evangelist, Laura Drabik, who welcomed nearly 100 attendees to the venue. The anticipation was high as each founder delivered a five-minute pitch, followed by a Q&A with a panel of distinguished judges.
There were five judges – Insurtech UK CEO Melissa Collett, Travelers Europe CIO Christian Kitchen, PwC Principal of Technology & Transformation Matthew Wolff, Guidewire Senior Director of Alliances Eric Apse, and Guidewire Director of Product Management Tony Cronin.
Attendees, including industry execs and insurtech peers, also cast their votes via a live mobile poll, giving the audience a voice in choosing the night’s winner.
Finalists:
- OpenDialog – AI sales agents transforming digital insurance sales
- Eco Repair Score – Real-time environmental impact ratings for motor claims
- Sinistar – Matching displaced insureds with fully furnished temporary housing
- EcoClaim – Helping insurers reduce emissions across claims supply chains
Winner: Nettle
Taking the top spot was Nettle, whose AI-powered risk engineering platform addresses one of the industry’s most urgent challenges: talent succession. CEO and Co-Founder Jack Miller revealed that over 40% of property risk engineers in the UK and Europe are set to retire within the next five years, putting pressure on underwriting timelines and growth capacity.
Nettle’s solution automates risk assessments for commercial property underwriting, using Guidewire data and other inputs to deliver accurate, scalable insights, allowing insurers to maintain momentum even as engineering resources decline.
Judges praised Nettle’s practicality, while the audience applauded its clarity and relevance. With this win, Nettle secured a coveted spot at Guidewire Connections Las Vegas later this year.
What’s next?
The InsurPitch 2025 series continues in Toronto this fall. Stay tuned for more highlights—and don’t miss Nettle’s full demo in Las Vegas.