ABOUT US

We live and breathe insurtech

A year of growth, reach, and resilience

The GIA's 2026 Annual Report captures a year that reinforced the durability of our model and the expanding reach of our ecosystem. Our 12th cohort was the most international in our history — four countries, three continents, and six founders with global perspectives tackling the industry's most pressing challenges.

With a growing mentor network, new sponsors, and continued dedication to post-program support for our 85 alumni companies, the GIA has never been better positioned to connect bold founders with the industry leaders shaping the future of insurance.

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Recapping a monumental year at the GIA

2025 has brought continued change and progress to the Global Insurance Accelerator. From our most competitive cohort selection process, a new investor partner, and a continued and refined focus on value to all of our shareholders, we’re poised to continue to fuel the transformation needed in this industry.

As we celebrate our 11th year, we’re eyeing the amazing things to come next!

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Celebrating Ten Years of Insurance Innovation

For ten years, the Global Insurance Accelerator has endeavored to bring innovation, change, and fresh ideas to the insurance ecosystem.

This Review is a celebration of where we’ve been, the growth we’ve seen to today, and a look ahead to what is to come.

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OUR WHY

We are uniquely positioned to filter, refine and connect the early stage insurtech innovators with leaders in the insurance industry that must continually discover new ways to make the world safer and smarter.

OUR VALUES

Driving the insurtech
ecosystem forward

  • Especially bold ideas and strategies that serve our GIA ecosystem.

  • The art of the breakthrough™ starts with clarity and honesty.

  • Then be resourceful and move fast - like a startup.

  • Learn quickly and laugh off the rest.

  • Mind, body and spirit – we need ‘em all.

OUR STORY

The Global Insurance Accelerator started in 2014 with a mission to drive innovation through the insurance industry. It was formed as a partnership between insurance carriers, innovation leaders, and local governmental leaders in Des Moines.

In 2015, seven founding investors established the first cohort. The early-stage founder program brought together founders who had passions and ideas to change the industry, with established and innovation-minded carriers.

Their goal was to bring a program to the industry that would combine mentor-led programming and early-stage capital to truly accelerate the best founders in the industry.

And since ideas and founders could come from anywhere and anyone, the GIA has brought in founders from all over the world in the years since.

As a result, the GIA has attracted founders from five continents and invested over $3 million in early-stage insurtech companies.

Today, with successful founder exits and an eye for growth in the future, the GIA is ready for the next decade, to bring innovation to the insurance industry through partnerships between companies, mentors, founders, and investors.

Executive Team

  • Jess Louis

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    Jess is responsible for the strategic execution of the 100-Day Program and mentor programming. As the primary lead of the Program’s day-to-day agenda, she manages everything from specialized workshops and pitch practices to mentor-founder matching. Jess shapes GIA programming to leverage the deep expertise of industry mentors, ensuring early-stage founders receive the targeted support they need to refine and scale their businesses.

    Before joining the GIA, Jess built a strong foundation in the nonprofit sector. She held key roles at the Ronald McDonald House and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, where she worked in operational management and the expansion of volunteer programming. These experiences honed her ability to manage complex organizational logistics while fostering communities of support.

    Throughout her career, Jess has been driven by a core passion: helping others succeed in their unique goals and interests. By bridging the gap between industry veterans and emerging entrepreneurs, she continues to empower the next generation of innovators.

    Jess holds a B.A. in Child, Adult, and Family Services from Iowa State University.

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  • Jenni Gruenisen

    Jenni Gruenisen

    ALUMNI DIRECTOR

    As Alumni Director, Jenni manages the GIA's portfolio of companies that have graduated from the 100-Day Program. In addition to tracking key performance metrics and keeping GIA funds informed on alumni progress, she focuses on cultivating strong, lasting relationships with GIA alumni founders and the broader Insurtech ecosystem — providing targeted, impactful support to cohort companies well beyond graduation.

    Prior to joining the GIA, Jenni built a career centered on listening, understanding needs, and making meaningful connections as an attorney and family law mediator, and also as a college tennis coach. Additionally, she dedicates significant time to volunteering in her community.

    Jenni holds a JD from Drake University Law School and a BA in Political Science, with a minor in English, from Gustavus Adolphus College.

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Executive Committee

  • April Schmaltz

    April Schmaltz

    PRESIDENT & CEO
    Delta Dental of Iowa

    Board Chair

  • Pavan Goteti

    VP, STRATEGY AND INNOVATION
    EMC Insurance

    Board Vice Chair

  • John Rooney

    VP, INFORMATION SERVICES
    Shelter Insurance Companies

    Programming Committee Chair

  • Sheldon Ohringer

    PARTNER
    Independent Board Member

    Past Board Chair

  • Ann Dieleman

    MANAGING DIRECTOR
    Affinity Advisor Group
    Independent Board Member

    Governance Committee Chair

  • Stephanie Wessman Lemmon

    SR. EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
    Delta Dental of Iowa


    Board Secretary

Board Members

  • Rama Kolli

    Rama Kolli

    CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska

  • Ryan Blackard

    VP, PRODUCT AND MARKETING
    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska

  • Beth Nigut

    EVP, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
    EMC Insurance

  • Dave DeCapp

    SVP, MARKETING
    Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa

  • Chris Crawford

    AVP, TREASURY
    Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa

  • Aaron Madison

    VP, SOFTWARE SERVICES
    IMT Insurance

  • Dan Mulcahy

    TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER
    IMT Insurance

  • Sri Reddy

    SVP, RETIREMENT & INCOME SOLUTIONS
    Principal Financial Group

  • Jon True

    INNOVATION STRATEGIST
    Principal Financial Group

  • Casey Decker

    PRESIDENT & COO Sammons Financial Group

  • Mike Pietig

    SVP, SHARED SERVICES Sammons Financial Group

  • Lance Kauffman

    DIRECTOR & GENERAL MANAGER DANIEL BOONE AGENCY, LLC
    Shelter Insurance Companies

University of Iowa Partnership

In 2023, we announced a unique and innovative partnership between the GIA and the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, the Vaughan Institute of Risk Management, and the John Papajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Iowa.

This partnership brings together the best in academics, start-ups, and industry in order to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful and positive change. It also brought a new co-branded curriculum which kicks off our new cohorts 100-days in the program, joint event sponsorship, project opportunities for students, and more. As this partnership continues to grow, we believe it will reshape the tools available for cohort companies, as well as create opportunities for students interested in growing a career in insurance and risk management.

Drake University Partnership

With its close proximity to our offices, the GIA has cultivated a unique and special relationship with Drake University in Des Moines. Their specialty in Actuarial Science, Data Analytics, and Business degrees provides amazing students and faculty which support our program.


Each year during our 100-day program, we have the privilege to bring two Drake students on as interns who partner with the cohort companies to solve real challenges for these startups. Over the past several years, many of these interns have gone on to careers in insurance including some with startups and founders they worked with during their time at the GIA!