InsurTech Initiative | Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

What's The InsurTech Initiative?

The InsurTech Initiative is a joint venture between UConn and the University of Hartford, designed to grow the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators in the insurance industry and the InsurTech space. Students learn the needs of a rapidly changing insurance industry, and emerging technologies disrupting it. Students will have the opportunity to assist both startups and established companies test and implement new technologies that will fuel growth through innovation. The InsurTech Initiative is coordinated by CCEI at UConn & the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford.

BADM 5894: InsurTech Venturing

Students will attend a weekly 3-credit course to gain knowledge about the foundations of the InsurTech industry and will develop entrepreneurial skills within the realms of InsurTech. This provides opportunities for students to analyze related case studies and listen to speakers that have experience in the InsurTech industry. Students will gain an understanding of the differences between traditional insurance and InsurTech business strategies.

*This course is only open to full-time UConn or UHart students.

The InsurTech Fellows Program offers students an incredible opportunity to increase their understanding of InsurTech, the insurance industry, working with startups, entrepreneurship and innovation. Students will learn how to apply theoretical and practical skills using real-world examples, and interact with industry leaders.

*This program is only open to full-time students enrolled at UConn or UHart. Only students that have enrolled and completed "BADM 5894/INS 490/990: InsurTech Venturing" course in the fall semester will be qualified for the InsurTech Fellows Program.

1. InsurTech Venturing Course (BADM 5894/INS 490/990): Throughout this course, students will develop skills on how to become entrepreneurs and innovators in the InsurTech industry. This will offer opportunities for students to analyze related case studies and listen to speakers that have experience in the InsurTech industry. Furthermore, students will gain an understanding of the differences between traditional insurance and InsurTech business strategies. They will be graded on their efforts to contribute to class discussion and complete assigned homework, projects, and exams. This course is offered in the Fall semester only.

2. Experiential Learning with InsurTech Startups: Upon acceptance into the Fellows Program, students must plan to enroll in the Experiential Learning course in the Spring semester where they will delve deeper into the inner workings of InsurTech. Through this program, students will be paired with an InsurTech startup. Students must attend an orientation class, complete 10-hours per week on a project outlined by the startup, and complete corresponding assignments as a part of the experiential learning.

3. InsurTech Mentorship Program: This program will allow InsurTech students to learn from an experienced professional who can guide their involvement with their experiential learning. Mentors will guide students about current issues facing their industry and how InsurTech is creating solutions to face these issues. They will also give students advice about navigating through their career preparation and securing a full-time job or internship.

4. Networking/Events: Students will be granted the opportunity to interact with industry leaders through networking events and by led by organizations in the Hartford area. Students will be given the chance to attend conferences, panels, and discussions in the area that will expose them to a multitude of perspectives surrounding InsurTech and entrepreneurship.

5. Concluding Project: As a final step in this program, students will have the opportunity to take everything they have learned throughout the program and apply their knowledge to one final project. The InsurTech Fellows will work together to create one concluding experience for this program. This project will be due at the end of the Spring semester.

6. Summer Internship (Optional): Students have the opportunity to take what they have learned through the program and apply it to a relevant summer internship. Although this opportunity is not guaranteed, students can work with CCEI to gain full or part-time employment for the summer.

Program Timeline: November - May

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