Thailand emerging consumers

Press Release

LeapFrog extends bolttech’s Series B to record-breaking $246m

  • bolttech’s Series B is now the largest in history for an insurtech
  • Leading impact investment firm LeapFrog will guide bolttech’s efforts to promote financial inclusion in emerging markets
  • LeapFrog Partner Fernanda Lima joins the bolttech board to support growth and ESG strategy

Singapore: International insurtech bolttech welcomed leading impact investment firm LeapFrog Investments as a new strategic investor in an extension of its Series B round. LeapFrog’s $50 million investment adds to bolttech’s recent Series B funding round, now totalling $246 million, the largest ever Series B round for an insurtech.

bolttech will use the proceeds from the $50 million commitment to support its global growth strategy, with a focus on emerging markets, as well as expanding its technology-enabled ecosystem for protection and insurance for emerging consumers. The proceeds will accelerate the company’s goal of enabling the insurance industry to close the $1.8 trillion global protection gap1.

bolttech’s leading ecosystem connects tailored and affordable insurance products to consumers via partner platforms in more than 30 markets across three continents. bolttech serves a wide range of customers, including more than two million emerging consumers2, especially with its device protection offerings. In markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, devices are an important insurable asset that can help unbanked and underbanked consumers to access financial services at a lower cost, enable telemedicine services and increase employment opportunities. Similarly, many other devices, and even climate solutions such as solar panels require insurance and financing to be accessible.

Through the investment, bolttech and LeapFrog will work together to promote financial inclusion by improving access to essential and affordable insurance. LeapFrog’s extensive track record with tech-enabled insurance businesses in Africa and Asia will help bolttech to target its products to this growing market, helping to build social and economic resilience by mitigating everyday financial shocks.

As part of the investment, bolttech will appoint Fernanda Lima, Partner and Co-Head of LeapFrog’s Asia Financial Services team to its Board as a Non-Executive Director. Fernanda’s experience in adding value across LeapFrog’s portfolio of inclusive financial institutions around the world will support bolttech’s emerging market presence and business growth as well as guide the company’s efforts in developing a robust, long-term ESG strategy.

Rob Schimek, Group Chief Executive Officer, bolttech said, “We are thrilled to welcome LeapFrog as our new strategic investor amidst a challenging economic backdrop for insurtechs and fintechs globally. We see LeapFrog’s investment as a strong validation of our unique business proposition as we continue to build a better insurance experience and ensure people, especially those in emerging markets, get the protection that they need. We also welcome Fernanda, who will bring an invaluable depth and breadth of diverse experience to our Board. We look forward to working with her as we achieve our vision of connecting people around the world with more ways to protect the things they value.”

Fernanda Lima shared: “bolttech has established a strong position within the insurance space with its powerful technology platform and extensive distribution network. bolttech shares LeapFrog’s vision of making essential financial solutions more affordable and accessible, especially for the many emerging consumers in growth markets. There is so much to be done to close the protection gap, particularly in emerging Asia, Latin America and Africa. It is my privilege to take on this role and I am excited to draw upon my experience and work with the other members of the Board to steer bolttech towards its goals.”

[1] Swisse Re, sigma 2/2023 – Restoring resilience, 2023.

[2] Emerging consumers are defined as those living on less than $11.20 PPP a day.

bolttech is an international insurtech with a mission to build the world’s leading, technology-enabled ecosystem for protection and insurance. bolttech serves customers in 30+ markets across North America, Asia and Europe.

With a full suite of digital and data-driven capabilities, bolttech powers connections between insurers, distributors, and customers to make it easier and more efficient to buy and sell insurance and protection products.

For more information, please visit www.bolttech.io.

 

LeapFrog invests in healthcare, financial services and climate solutions businesses in high-growth global markets. Its companies deliver distinctive impact and robust returns, growing on average 24 per cent a year. LeapFrog companies now reach 451 million people in 30 countries. The firm has raised billions of dollars from global institutional investors, including a recent $500m commitment by Temasek to LeapFrog and its growth equity funds. LeapFrog has been ranked by Fortune as one of the top five Companies to Change the World, the first private investment firm ever listed.

For more information, visit: www.leapfroginvest.com.

FTI Consulting on behalf of bolttech

bolttech@fticonsulting.com

Montfort Communications on behalf of LeapFrog Investments

LeapFrog@Montfort.London