Accelerating Innovation by Collaborating with InsurTech Startups

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

Accelerating Innovation by Collaborating with InsurTech Startups

While an increasing number of organizations are investing in these collaborations, the success of these initiatives is fairly low. We aimed to create a long-term win-win solution for both groups.

4

Days

ONLINE

2020

3

Organizations

1

MVP

Challenge

How might we accelerate and increase competitiveness through collaboration with startups, while learning from their agility and expertise?

WHY?

Understanding Betty’s experiences during the collaboration process

PAINS

GAINS

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

Founders often spoke of time wastage when communicating or scheduling meetings with insurance organizations.

How can we reduce the amount of time lost during the communications process?

How can we create an environment that supports and encourages collaboration between insurers and startups?

How can we ensure the right decision makers are present at meetings with startups?

SOLUTION

Within 5 minutes, the project team produced 26 potential solutions to this challenge and settled on the winning solution – a dedicated committee of decision makers.

How might we identify the right decision makers to speed up the process of collaboration, improving Betty’s experience?

DEDICATED COMMITTEE OF DECISION MAKERS

The insurance organization will establish a dedicated committee of the right decision makers with business objectives and incentives. The committee will work within a well-defined project cycle to collaborate with InsurTech startups, and will meet regularly to hear startup pitches. The culture will be agile and fail-fast, and the committee will receive training from an Innovation Coachs.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

At the end of the project, the team presented their solution to the community and invited the audience to share their insights through a poll after the presentation.

16

Hours

1

Empathy Map

1

Startup Founder Persona

1

Focus Group

25+

Ideas in 5 minutes

4

Masterminds interviewed

1

Lo-Fi Prototype

1

Final Presentation

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

We also offer intro sessions that provide insurance professionals with the opportunity to experience our Cookhouse Labs methodology and a sneak peek at what it’s like to co-create and collaborate with our global community. If you are not a Cookhouse Labs member and are interested in finding out more, check out our membership benefits!

September 14, 2021September 14, 2021

Empowering Small Businesses with IoT for Improved Financial Management Experience

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

Empowering Small Businesses with IoT for Improved Financial Management Experience

How might we make small businesses more financially resilient for future extreme events like COVID-19?

24

Hours

ONLINE

2020

3

Organizations

1

MVP

Challenge

Use the Internet of Things (IoT) to assist small business owners in the food industry with financial management to improve profitability and reduce bankruptcy.

WHY?

Understanding Fiona, a small business owner in Toronto

The global pandemic has been challenging for small businesses, especially those in the restaurant industry, often driving them to the point of bankruptcy and permanent closure. The data derived from an IoT solution will support insurers in creating better tailored business interruption products for small business owners.

PAINS

GAINS

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

Business owners resort to cost-cutting as a result of the current economic impact, leading to many employee layoffs.

How can we empower small business owners to better forecast inventory demands to reduce wastage?

How can we create a supportive environment for small business owners during these challenging times?

How can we leverage existing resources (e.g. employees) to identify alternative revenue streams?

SOLUTION

The team ideated many IoT-powered solutions to tackle this challenge and quickly selected the winning idea: a financial planning tool with elements of community and skill development.

How might the Internet of Things (IoT) assist small business owners with their financial management to improve profitability and reduce bankruptcy?

1

CFOAI APP

A survival-driven bankruptcy solution for sustainable small businesses. The mobile app balances financial planning with community support and learning resources through the following features:

NEWSFEED

A community forum where small business owners can connect to share their experiences and learnings.

COMMUNITY FUND

A community pool where owners can seek financial support and loans during severe economic hardship.

LEARNING CENTER

This feature links to e-learning resources focused on employee skill development to keep up with market demands.

CFO AI

A machine learning assistant that monitors your inventory and wastage. The feature also reports on industry trends and provides sales forecasts.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

The team worked closely with small business owners in China and Canada to further develop this much-needed solution.

24

Hours

1

Empathy Map

7

Participant interviews

2

Masterminds Interviews

20+

HMW Statements

1

MVP

1

Startup Founded

1

Project Presentation

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

September 13, 2021September 13, 2021

SummerHack 2020: “IoT Disruption in Insurance” Winning Solution

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

SummerHack 2020: “IoT Disruption in Insurance” Winning Solution

IoT devices offer real-time data that can be impactful in managing risk, potentially saving millions in claims disbursements.

24

HOURS

ONLINE

2020

19

TEAMS

19

MVPs

Challenges

Under the theme “IoT Disruption in Insurance”, we asked our teams to choose from these challenges and ideate a real business solution using our Design Thinking methodology:

Mobility Services

How might we develop an IoT-based customer-focused holistic mobility insurance product/service?

Small Businesses

How might we develop IoT-based risk-prevention services/products for small businesses?

Fight Obesity

How might we develop IoT-based solutions/services to prevent and reduce obesity and overweight?

WHY?

Understanding Donna, a 40-year-old high school teacher

With less than 24 hours to come up with a solution, Team ABC quickly chose the challenge of overcoming obesity. People with a BMI of 30 or over can expect to pay 25-50% more on health insurance premiums, and the team raced against the clock to find a better solution.

PAINS

GAINS

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

Calorie Counters are inaccurate, with a total error of up to 25%.

How can we make it easier for individuals to access information related to their personal health?

What IoT tools/resources can we provide individuals to support them in accurately tracking their caloric intake?

How can insurers use personalized IoT data to help individuals manage their health and lower premiums?

SOLUTION

The team chose to use IoT sensors to collect and analyze real-time data from individuals’ food consumption.

How might we empower individuals to manage their own health while reducing the effort required to sustain this lifestyle change?

BYTE - SMART TOOTH

BYTE is a wearable oral sensor system attached to any tooth and is used to detect and measure the calories in what you eat. A small Bluetooth radio will wirelessly transmit data to a mobile device. Insurers can partner with BYTE to provide their customers with support in managing their health. The IoT data collected from the customers’ weight loss journey will be monitored by the insurer and as the customer becomes healthier and files fewer health-related claims, the insurer will reward the customer in the form of a discounted premium.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

At the end of the 24-hour ideathon, the 19 student teams pitched their ideas to our panel of experts.

10

Countries

24

Hours

100+

Participants

19

Participating Teams

22

Expert Mentors

8

Judges

19

MVPs

1

Final Pitch Event

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

September 13, 2021September 13, 2021

WinterHack 2020: “Digital Ecosystems” Winning Solution from Team Hannover Re

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

WinterHack 2020: “Digital Ecosystems” Winning Solution from Team Hannover Re

Insurers must keep up with changing customer demands — or risk losing out on growth opportunities worth USD $177 billion over the next 5 years.

2

DAYS

ONLINE

2020

12

TEAMS

12

MVPs

Challenges

Under the theme “Digital Ecosystems”, we asked our teams to choose from these challenges and ideate a real business solution using our Design Thinking methodology:

Reduce Loneliness

How might we develop a solution/service offering to reduce social isolation or loneliness of elderly people?

Subscription Model

How might we develop a new subscription-based business model of insurance built on Digital Ecosystems?

Building Inspection

How might we develop a highly automated service/solution for building inspection of commercial properties?

Understanding Insurance

How might we develop a solution/service allowing customers to fully understand the personal risk and coverage situation?

WHY?

Understanding Edith, a retired seamstress with a pension

Team Hannover Re partnered with startup EMIL Group Gmbh and combined two challenges: they chose to build a subscription-based business model to serve elderly populations.

PAINS

GAINS

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

In an ever-changing digital world, seniors face unique risks and are a digitally underserved cohort with risks to manage and money to spare.

How can we create a simple user experience for seniors to easily navigate?

How can we build trust between different players in the ecosystem?

SOLUTION

The app uses technology to create a tailored interface in a connected ecosystem.

How might we empower senior citizens to live independently and manage their risks in a complex world?

BEGLEITER

The digital concierge for the Baby Boomer Generation.

Begleiter is a one-stop shop for topics around: Health, Organization, Finance, and Community.

The app uses technological innovation such as an intelligent chatbot, a dual view for a senior/junior duo to create simplicity in user experience. Begleiter connects relevant Ecosystem players. The subscription model creates trust, so modules are chosen due to fit and quality.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

At the end of the 2-day ideathon, the 12 insurance teams pitched their ideas to our panel of experts.

10

Countries

18

Hours

85+

Participants

12

Empathy Maps

12

Participating Teams

9

Judges

12

MVPs

1

Final Pitch Event

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

September 10, 2021September 14, 2021

Staying Connected No Matter Where You Are – Cookhouse Labs Hybrid Experience

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

Staying Connected No Matter Where You Are - Cookhouse Labs Hybrid Experience

How can we maintain our engaging innovation experience combining virtual and in-person participants?

1

Semester

ONLINE

2021

4

University students

2

MVPs

Challenge

Define solutions to keep innovators connected, despite being in different rooms or geographical locations, either at home or in the office.

WHY?

Understanding differences between virtual and in-person experiences

SEE

SAY & DO

HEAR

THINK & FEEL

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

Some participants find the virtual experience convenient, but are seeking out better ways to stay engaged during sessions.

How can we help virtual participants feel connected to in-person team members during projects?

How can we redesign our experience to ensure it feels the same virtual and in-person?

What resources can we leverage to create an exceptional hybrid experience?

SOLUTION

The team came up with 50+ ideas and narrowed their solution down to the top 2 — Video Conferencing Robots and the Cookhouse Labs Socializing Box.

Hybrid models (combining the virtual and in-person experiences) have been in our mind since the beginning of our journey. Many times our participants have to travel to other office locations or meet clients and still want to be part of the sprints. A hybrid model is a solution we want to test and implement to maintain our engaging, fun and collaborative experience.

How might we build trust and improve communication among participants on-site, remote participants, and the moderator during the whole project in a hybrid digital session?

1

DOUBLE ROBOTICS

By employing the use of video conferencing robots, we allow participants to feel more present in the Lab. These robots can be controlled via one’s keyboard arrow keys from anywhere in the world over a Wi-Fi network, and give participants an opportunity to explore the physical space from the comfort of their home. With video display on the attached iPads, this solution also overcomes the barrier of joining coffee breaks, inviting discussion and ideation despite the physical distance.

2

THE COOKHOUSE SOCIALIZING BOX

This solution promises an unforgettable social experience, complete with ingredients to make a customized cocktail or mocktail and a light pasta meal. The Box includes the tools needed, such as a branded glass, apron, and even a wooden spoon! To complete the experience, participants will be brought into a virtual culinary class hosted by a Cookhouse Labs moderator, where they can create these dishes together while still being in their own kitchens. This works to create a sense of community and acts as an icebreaker before the main event date.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

Over the course of 200+ hours, the team worked closely to understand the challenges faced by facilitators and participants during the virtual experience.

2

Personas

4

Journey Maps

7

Participant interviews

13

Interview questions

50+

Ideas

2

MVPs

1

Robotic Solution

1

Project Presentation

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021

StudentHack: “AI and Big Data” Winning Solution

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

StudentHack: “AI and Big Data” Winning Solution

The arrival of AI and Big Data to the insurance industry brings many opportunities and risks, which insurers must anticipate in order to stay relevant during the imminent digital transformation of the industry.

2

DAYS

ONLINE

2021

15

TEAMS

15

MVPs

Challenges

Under the theme “AI and Big Data”, we asked our teams to choose from these challenges and ideate a real business solution using our Design Thinking methodology:

Build trust

How might we leverage big data and artificial intelligence to increase consumer confidence, trust, and tailor the insurance experience?

Risk management

How might we leverage big data and artificial intelligence to help homeowners understand and mitigate risk to help prevent losses from happening?

Insure the uninsurable

How might we leverage big data and artificial intelligence to improve existing or develop new insurance products that benefit Canadian businesses?

Respond to changing consumers

How might we leverage big data and artificial intelligence to improve the insurance-buying experience to make it more engaging and less of a one-off transaction?

WHY?

Understanding Phil, a happily married Vice President in Toronto

The homeowner’s insurance industry is vast, and Team Jedis discovered that claims have gone up in the past years. Improper management of risks, unclear policy terms and uncertainty lead to losses for both the customer and the insurance providers.

PAINS

GAINS

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

While the claims settlement process is a red flag, the root of the problem is the unforeseen damages to the houses due to negligence. Thus, it is beneficial to predict and prevent rather than detect and repair.

There is uncertainty around the claims procedure, with confusion around what is covered and the amount of deductible paid.

Most homeowners have other financial commitments and bills to pay from their fixed income.

The prolonged process of claims settlement and uncertainty is an added burden on the homeowner.

SOLUTION

Team Jedis ultimately decided that the best way to educate the homeowner would be to incentivize them to use an integrated mobile app that variates their premium if the home is not properly maintained and proper precautions are not taken.

Problem statement

How might we leverage big data and artificial intelligence to help homeowners understand and mitigate risk to help prevent losses from happening?

INSURACONNECT

An AI-based mobile application that integrates with smart devices (such as smart fire alarms) and constantly monitors the health and effectiveness of these devices for the homeowner.

The user is allotted a ‘risk band’ based on their profile and the status of their devices. The AI-based system will compare and suggest smart home upgrades to improve the user risk profile, frequently pushing maintenance recommendations as needed. This incentivizes consumers to maintain their homes by managing key risks, as their ‘risk band’ and premiums will be affected by how quickly the user acts on the recommendations.

In the case of incidents or damages, an automated claim will be filed via the app and a smart bot will be available to answer questions regarding the status of the claim.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

At the end of the 2-day ideathon, the 15 student teams submitted their ideas for review to a judge panel of Canadian insurance experts.

100+

Participants

16

Hours

15

Participating Teams

15

Empathy Maps

6

Expert Judges

15

MVPs

1

Winning Team

2

Runner-up Teams

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

September 8, 2021September 10, 2021

SummerHack 2021: “New Times, New Experience” Winning Solution

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

SummerHack 2021: “New Times, New Experience” Winning Solution

Facing the challenges of the global pandemic, insurers must reimagine their products and services to cater to the new challenges faced by consumers.

2

DAYS

ONLINE

2021

12

TEAMS

12

MVPs

Challenges

Under the theme “New Times, New Experience”, we asked our teams to choose from these challenges and ideate a real business solution using our Design Thinking methodology:

Ecological Footprint

How might we develop a solution/service to support ecological footprint?

Access to Insurance

How might we develop a solution/service to cater to the growing underserved population?

Embedded Insurance

How might we develop an embedded insurance solution/service to attract and serve the younger generation?

Gig Community

How might we develop a solution/service to support dynamic and engaged independent workers?

WHY?

Understanding Jason and Sarah, part of our Gig Community

With limited time on hand, Team Foresters decided to take on the challenge of supporting and engaging the Gig community, seeing that the current crisis is pushing many people to search specifically for non-traditional forms of employment that provide flexibility and additional income.

PAINS (COMMON)

GAINS (COMMON)

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

Insurance companies cannot measure crucial data when it comes to self-employed gig/seasonal workers, therefore current insurance coverage options do not align with their needs and ability to pay.

How can we make it easier for gig workers to access insurance to fulfill their financial and health needs?

How can we offer seasonal workers a sense of stability despite their fluctuating income?

SOLUTION

The team ideated several solutions to offer gig workers ease and stability when it came to their insurance coverage, and together, they selected the final solution to prototype.

How might we provide a flexible insurance solution that improves the well-being of gig workers?

GIGLIFE

In essence, gigLife offers benefits and community within the gig economy, including access an exclusive community forum, learning platform, and discounts while managing credits in a healthcare spending account during and between gigs.

GigLife supports independent workers by providing benefits they may lack, a buffer when they are between gigs, and access to professionals who can offer financial and legal advice. The platform provides health benefits funded through a combination of participation fees. The platform could also provide benefits to participants by purchasing a life insurance policy and advancing a portion of the death benefit to cover the costs of the current benefits, all legalities taken into consideration.

Further, it aims to create an opportunity for organic group advocacy for the gig working community through social networking features.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

At the end of the 2-day ideathon, 11 global teams pitched their ideas to our panel of experts.

16

Countries

18

Hours

100+

Participants

12

Participating Teams

11

Judges

3

Winners

12

MVPs

1

Final Pitch Event

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

October 28, 2020September 10, 2021

The urgent need to attract and retain young talent

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

The urgent need to attract and retain young talent

Millennials are not interested in a career in insurance… so how do we #BridgeTheGap and make insurance more attractive to this generation?

5

AFTERNOONS

ONLINE

2020

4

ORGANIZATIONS

1

MVP

Challenge

Understand why Millennials have such a negative perception of the insurance industry and what we as an industry have to start doing to become appealing to young talent.

WHY?

Understanding millennials’ concerns about work in the insurance industry

SEE

SAY & DO

HEAR

THINK & FEEL

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

Exploring the thoughts and emotions of young people when it came to job search methods, desired benefits, and office culture expectations.

We are not doing enough to invest in attracting and retaining young talent.

The focus of our sprint became: How might we create a culture of collaboration and inclusiveness that fosters security and growth that will help attract, retain and make young talent feel valued.

SOLUTION

Our team ideated 59 different ways to #BridgeTheGap in 5 minutes and voted on a single idea to develop and test.

During the 5 sessions the team discovered these items as main key points and what, young talent named as the priorities when looking for a job.

NEXTGEN DISCOVERY PROGRAM

The solution is based on a 5-month program designed to attract and retain young talent by engaging the young hires from day one and inviting them to work with other departments in the organization. Students will be recruited from non-traditional programs of study as well, including Arts and Geography, and will be paired with Mentors through a matching process. Young talent will select 5 areas of interest to rotate through during the program. At the end, the employees will provide feedback on the department that they are most interested in working at.

The employees’ experience will be overseen by a dedicated Advisor (guidance counselor) who will meet regularly with the young talent. The program will work to retain young hires beyond the average 2-year job stay.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

The project team consulted HR Masterminds, interviewed young professionals and students, and analyzed surveys to understand the different perspectives.

1

Empathy Map

55

Survey Responses

2

Mastermind Interviews

1

Focus Group

28

Interview Questions

59

Ideas in 5 Minutes

1

MVP

1

Project Presentation

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!

October 28, 2020September 10, 2021

Navigating the Impact of Challenges in Insurance

Innovation Project Summary Cookhouse LabS

Navigating the Impact of Challenges in Insurance

The objective of this project was to identify, qualify, and classify opportunities and quantify their impact for insurers.

3

DAYS

MAR

2020

4

ORGANIZATIONS

1

MVP

Challenge

Understand the difficulties we are currently facing in the industry and their impact to help insurance organizations prioritize their focus, time and effort.

WHY?

Teams are often prevented from receiving funding for innovation projects.

SEES

DOES

FEELS

THINKS

Flexible membership options

DISCOVERY

Current journey of initiating an innovation project in an insurance organization, based on project research.

What are the biggest challenges in insurance today?

How much time & budget would each company put toward innovation?

How much impact will innovation play in the future of the industry?

SOLUTION

Together with insurance policyholders, the team identified several potential solutions to improve strategy and budget planning.

The world has shifted to a customer-centric business model and Insurance has not kept up.

How might we leverage data and prioritize customer centricity in our strategy planning to achieve long-term success?

CUSTOMER INSIGHTS OUTREACH PROGRAM

The SMS based program offers customers helpful advice to reduce risk of accidents and damage.

For example, a text message would advise policyholders of expected freezing rain in their area and inform them that increasing stopping time by 2 seconds when driving could reduce risk of accidents by 30%. These text messages were sent on behalf of their insurer to show customers that their provider cared for their wellbeing from the top-down. This interaction would also allow insurers to create and build a database with data that could be useful when creating new products and services for the future.

Ready to innovate?

RESULTS

In just 3 days, the team took a deep dive into the challenge and tested a solution to drive long-term benefit to the industry, which received positive reviews.

2

Personas

2

Customer Journey Maps

3

Mastermind Interviews

96

Risks Identified

9

Customer Interviews

20

Initial Solutions

1

MVP

1

Project Presentation

PARTICIPANTS

More Co-creation Sprints

Our test kitchen has cooked-up new customer-centric solutions to industry problems and challenges through rounds of innovation sprints with our global community. Check out the results!