Cary, North Carolina – 101 Weston Labs, an InsurTech accelerator focused on innovations for independent insurance agents, has announced a new partnership with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc. (the Big “I").
The national trade association is fulfilling its mission to provide independent agents with a sustainable competitive advantage by investing significantly in the companies accepted into 101 Weston Labs.
The accelerator, which is a project of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC), works with startups that are innovating in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, process automation, cyber liability, quoting, and more. The program helps advance their efforts by facilitating a network of agents, advisors, and service providers who provide product feedback and operational acumen. The Big “I" partnership will help in furthering these goals.
“We're eager to support new companies striving to help independent agents and brokers thrive," said Charles Symington, Big “I" president & CEO. “It is an investment in InsurTech that will empower our members, and we look forward to collaborating on this with 101 Weston Labs. We appreciate the innovation, leadership and dedication its team brings to advancing the independent agency channel, and we are also grateful for the role IIANC has played in moving this forward."
“Having Big 'I' involved in this program is a game-changer for 101 Weston Labs," said Aubie Knight, CEO of IIANC. “We have an aligned mission of supporting the independent agency system, and their partnership commitment with 101 Weston Labs will help us expand our footprint and scale our growth."
In 2024, the accelerator switched from a cohort-based model to accept rolling admissions and has already welcomed three companies this year. New program participants for 2024 include SnapRefund, InRev, and a yet-to-be-announced company from InsurTech veteran Max Kane. 101 Weston Labs expects to add three more companies to the program in the coming months.
The program's original alumni have seen tremendous growth since their Demo Day in August 2023, and the 101 Weston Labs team is continuing to support those companies in 2024 and beyond. (https://www.101westonlabs.com/inaugural-cohort/)
More information may be found at 101WestonLabs.com. Media should contact Pat Cline at pat@101WestonLabs.com or Will Jones at william.jones@iiaba.net.
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Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC) empowers its members to rise above the competition by offering them the tools and resources to succeed in today's insurance industry. IIANC is proud to serve as the unrelenting advocate and strategic business partner for nearly 1,000 Trusted Choice® independent insurance agency members across the state. IIANC member agencies represent more than one insurance company, and as a result, can offer clients a wider choice of auto, home, business, life, and health coverages while providing valuable guidance and advocacy. For more information, visit www.iianc.com.
101 Weston Labs is an InsurTech accelerator founded by IIANC to help develop technology advancements for the independent insurance agency community nationwide. The accelerator supports a cohort of technology companies innovating in areas like AI and data science, advancing their efforts with access to funding, agent product testers, advisors, and consulting from program stakeholders.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I") is the nation's oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice brand. Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a variety of insurance companies.