At BrokerTech Connect, innovation is not just discussed—it is put into action. The BrokerTech Innovation Challenge is designed to spotlight emerging insurtech solutions that are advancing the broker channel and reshaping the future of insurance distribution. Bringing together founders, brokers, carriers, and investors, the challenge creates a platform where practical, scalable innovation can be seen, evaluated, and accelerated.

What is the BrokerTech Innovation Challenge?

The BrokerTech Innovation Challenge is a live pitch competition featuring high-potential startups developing solutions for the insurance ecosystem. Participants present their businesses to a panel of industry judges representing brokers, carriers, and strategic partners.

The competition is grounded in a consistent evaluation framework that prioritizes real-world impact. Startups are assessed on their understanding of industry challenges, the strength and differentiation of their solution, alignment with broker distribution, and their ability to execute and scale. The goal is to identify companies that are not only innovative, but also positioned to deliver meaningful value across the insurance value chain.

How do I participate?

Startups have two pathways to participate in the Innovation Challenge:

• Exhibiting Startups: Companies participating as booth sponsors at BrokerTech Connect are automatically eligible to compete in the challenge.
• Non-Exhibiting Startups: A limited number of additional startups may apply for consideration. These applicants will be evaluated using the same criteria as exhibiting participants, with selections based on overall strength, relevance, and readiness.

All selected participants will have the opportunity to present on stage and engage directly with industry leaders and decision-makers.

How is the winner selected?

All participating startups are evaluated using a standardized judging rubric designed to ensure consistency and fairness. Judges assess each company across key dimensions, including problem relevance, innovation, market opportunity, broker alignment, traction, and team strength.

This same rubric is used both to select non-exhibiting participants and to determine the overall winner of the competition.

The winning startup will have the option to accept a $100,000 investment from the BrokerTech Fund, providing not only capital, but access to a collaborative network built to help scale solutions across the industry. You do not have to accept the investment to be considered as the Innovation Challenge Winner. 

To officially register, fill out this form. 

BrokerTech Innovation Challenge Rubric

1. A strong founding team
2. A very large total addressable market
3. An acute pain point for target companies
4. How strong is the solution?
5. Can a defensible moat be created?
6. There is a strong go to market strategy

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