GLOBAL INSURANCE ACCELERATOR
Building the next generation of insurtech companies through mentorship, capital, and carrier connections.
Overview
The Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA) is an accelerator program dedicated exclusively to insurance technology, operating out of Des Moines, Iowa since 2014. It runs an annual 100-day hybrid program that pairs early-stage insurtech startups with industry mentors, seed capital, and direct access to insurance carriers. The program selects a small cohort each year, typically five to eight companies, offering each USD 50,000 in exchange for 5% equity via a post-money SAFE.
The program is structured in three phases: an initial in-person residency in Des Moines featuring mentor sessions with 75+ practitioners from sponsoring carriers, a virtual programming phase with approximately eight hours of weekly structured content, and a final in-person return to Des Moines culminating in a pitch presentation at the Global Insurance Symposium. GIA also operates Accelerator Plus, a post-program support track for alumni companies.
Backed by a consortium of eight Iowa-based insurance carriers, GIA has invested over USD 3 million across all cohorts and has hosted founders from five continents. As of 2026, the program has graduated 85 alumni companies, including Cowbell, Caregiven, and Everyday Life Insurance. The 2026 cohort -- the program's most internationally diverse -- included companies focused on cyber risk intelligence, AI-driven claims processing, and Gen Z insurance distribution.