For more than a week, InsurTech Israel led one of its most ambitious international initiatives to date – combining participation in InsurTech Insights New York with an exclusive four-day roadshow across the United States, providing Israeli startups with direct access to some of the most influential insurance companies in the world.
The delegation brought together nine innovative Israeli startups: Cantora, GEOX.ai, Nolona AI, SettWiz, Maximizer AI, Miss Moneypenny Technologies, Hear.ai, Toonimo, and LepreCon.
Together, they embarked on a journey that went far beyond traditional conference networking. The goal was simple but powerful: create meaningful face-to-face meetings between Israeli entrepreneurs and senior decision-makers from leading U.S. insurers.
Starting in New York: The Global Stage of InsurTech
The journey began at InsurTech Insights New York, one of the world’s leading insurance innovation conferences.
At the Israeli Pavilion, organized by InsurTech Israel, the startups held dozens of meetings with insurers, brokers, investors, reinsurers, and innovation leaders from around the globe. The conference provided valuable exposure, but it also served as the launching point for the next phase of the journey.
While many delegations return home after the event, our startups boarded planes and buses and headed directly into the heart of the American insurance industry.
Beyond the Conference Floor
Following the conference, InsurTech Israel, together with its U.S. partners, organized a dedicated roadshow designed to provide something increasingly rare in today’s digital world: direct access to insurance company leadership.
Over four intensive days, the delegation visited major insurance hubs across Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio, meeting executives responsible for innovation, underwriting, claims, distribution, customer experience, digital transformation, and AI initiatives.
Day One: Des Moines, Iowa – America’s Insurance Capital
The roadshow opened in Des Moines, Iowa, often referred to as one of the insurance capitals of the United States.
The delegation met with:
- Principal Financial Group
- EMC Insurance
- Holmes Murphy
- Wellabe
Throughout the day, the startups presented their solutions, discussed industry challenges, and explored opportunities for pilot programs, partnerships, and future business development.
One of the highlights of the visit was a special meeting with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration in driving economic growth.
Day Two: Omaha, Nebraska
The delegation then continued to Omaha, another major insurance center in the United States.
Meetings were held with executives from:
- Mutual of Omaha
- Physicians Mutual
- Omaha National
- WoodmenLife
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
These sessions provided founders with a unique opportunity to engage directly with insurance leaders and gain firsthand insight into the challenges and priorities shaping the U.S. insurance market.
Day Three: Columbus, Ohio
The roadshow continued in Columbus, Ohio, where the delegation met with leadership teams from:
- Grange Insurance
- Branch Insurance
- Nationwide
The discussions focused on emerging technologies, AI adoption, customer engagement, operational efficiency, and the future of insurance distribution.
Unlike a typical conference environment, these meetings allowed for deeper conversations, practical
discussions, and the exploration of real business opportunities.
Day Four: Cincinnati, Ohio
The final day brought the delegation to Cincinnati, home to two additional industry leaders:
- Great American Insurance Group
- Cincinnati Insurance Companies
The startups participated in roundtable discussions, innovation sessions, executive presentations, and networking meetings with senior decision-makers from across multiple business units.
By the end of the roadshow, the delegation had engaged with dozens of executives from some of America’s most respected insurance organizations.
More Than Business Meetings
While the business opportunities were significant, one theme consistently emerged throughout the journey: the warmth and openness of the people we met.
Every company welcomed the delegation with genuine curiosity, hospitality, and a strong interest in learning more about the Israeli innovation ecosystem.
The experience reinforced the growing reputation of Israel as one of the world’s leading insurtech hubs and highlighted the value that American insurers place on engaging with Israeli entrepreneurs and technology companies.
Kobi Bendelak, Founder & CEO of InsurTech Israel
“What impressed me most during this journey was not only the quality of the meetings or the caliber of the companies we visited, but the genuine warmth and openness we experienced everywhere we went.
We met with executives from some of the most respected insurance organizations in the United States, and the message was clear: there is tremendous appreciation for Israeli innovation and for the ability of our startups to address real industry challenges.
Meeting Governor Kim Reynolds was a particularly meaningful moment, reflecting how the relationships between the Israeli insurtech ecosystem and the U.S. insurance industry have grown stronger year after year.
Most importantly, this roadshow demonstrated something we strongly believe in: there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction. When startup founders sit around the same table with insurance executives, trust is built, ideas are exchanged, and opportunities become tangible. That is exactly the value we strive to create for our community.”
Looking Ahead
The New York conference and U.S. roadshow represent another important milestone in InsurTech Israel’s mission to connect Israeli innovation with the global insurance industry.
After dozens of meetings, thousands of miles traveled, and countless conversations about the future of insurance, one conclusion stands out:
The U.S. insurance industry is actively seeking innovation, and Israeli insurtech continues to be one of the ecosystems it looks to first
