Posted on 19 August, 2020
“Technology-enabled models have aided customer communication
including educating the need and the type of products available within
insurance, beyond just life insurance — medical insurance, vehicle insurance,
accident insurance, property insurance, others,” said Pankaj Raina, Managing
Director, Research and Investments, Zephyr Peacock India.
Raina added, “Growing awareness about benefits of insurance,
ability to compare, better communication and competitive pricing have
contributed to the growth of insurtech user base. This, in turn, is a big
validation for any investor.”
Click here to read the full article on ‘Business Line’
Below is an excerpt from the post which first appeared on
Business Line on 19 August 2020:
The number of deals bagged by insurtech start-ups surged in
the January-July period of 2020, even as the overall funding took a hit due to
Covid-19. According to a Nasscom report titled ‘Reviving the Indian start-up
engine during COVID-19’ that analysed the impact of the pandemic in India,
nearly 65 per cent start-ups witnessed reduction in funding.
But the insurtech sector in India paints a rather positive
picture. The sector encompasses insurers, insurance aggregators and companies
that create software and analytics in the space.
The number of deals bagged by insurtech start-ups in the
January-to-July period in 2020 stood at nine, the highest in the last six
years, according to data from Venture Intelligence, a firm that tracks private
companies’ investments, financials and valuations. The funding figures also do
not disappoint. A total of $186 million was invested in eight companies this
year during the period, 66 per cent higher than the $112 million invested in
six companies during the same period last year.
Zephyr Management is a global emerging markets investment manager, specializing in the creation and management of highly focused private equity funds
Since its inception in 1994, Zephyr has sponsored and/or managed 26 investment funds in both public and private securities markets representing approximately $1.2 billion in combined commitments and assets under management
Emerging Markets Focus
The firm has initiated several private equity funds investing in several African countries, South Korea, Mexico, India, and Sri Lanka since its founding. Zephyr's funds serve medium size enterprises that are often ignored by larger private equity players. Zephyr funds provide growth capital to established companies with proven business models and sustainable competitive advantages.
Investment activities are currently focused on India, Sri Lanka and Africa.
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Zephyr Peacock India provides equity financing for fast growing, small to medium sized companies led by strong entrepreneurs and management teams.
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Emerald Fund provides equity financing for fast growing, small to medium sized (SME) Sri Lankan companies led by strong entrepreneurs & management teams.
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Zephyr Acorn provides equity financing and business support to innovative early-stage companies in East Africa.
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The firm's special expertise lies in bringing global best practices to medium-sized growing companies by assisting them in conceptualizing sustainable business strategy, management development, compensation, ESG, expansion outside of their home country, capital structure and positioning for stock exchange listing or trade sale.