Overview of HackZone by Allianz Turkey
HackZone by Allianz Turkey has triumphantly wrapped up its 5th edition. This pioneering open innovation program, a first in Turkey’s insurance industry, aims to foster and support innovation within the sector. The initiative provides a platform for start-ups specializing in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, digital health, and climate change to present their innovative projects.
Start-ups in the HackZone program have drawn significant attention from investors, collectively securing external investments exceeding $15.5 million. Since its inception in 2020, HackZone has evaluated over 590 start-ups, incorporating 46 innovative initiatives into the program. To date, 34 different start-ups have been collaborated with, accelerating their projects to meet the industry’s evolving needs.
2023 HackZone Participants
This year, six promising start-ups participated: Alon Health, Branchsight, Ingosa, Prowth, Text2Test, and Werover. These companies worked on insurance solutions focusing on AI, ML, climate crisis strategies, and digital health, aligning with the year’s core themes. During the HackZone Demo Day, participants engaged with investors, innovation managers from leading companies, and Allianz Turkey’s executive board, including Onur Kırcı, Fahri Kaan Toker, and Evren Ayorak, to showcase their groundbreaking projects.
Promoting Innovation and Open Insurance
Onur Kırcı, Deputy General Manager of Marketing and Digital Insurance at Allianz Turkey, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation, stating: “In 2017, we placed innovation at the heart of our corporate culture by establishing the Innovation Office, a first in the sector. As a leader in next-generation insurance, we value collaborations with start-ups developing innovative business models. Through HackZone, we aim to advance insurance industry innovation with AI and ML technologies, supported by our financial grants and the expertise of over 50 Allianz mentors.”
Impact on the Insurance Ecosystem
HackZone is recognized for introducing 26 start-ups to the insurance field, offering groundbreaking solutions in a regulated and complex industry. The program not only fosters technological advancements but also enhances customer experience, drives operational excellence, and accelerates digital transformation among business partners. With over 5,000 developers registered in our open APIs, Allianz Turkey aspires to expand this ecosystem, introducing initiatives that revolutionize the insurance industry.
The Future of Insurtech
At the HackZone Demo Day, a panel titled “The Future and Opportunities of the Insurtech Ecosystem” was held. Moderated by Serkan Ünsal, founder of Startups Watch, the panel featured insights from Arın Özkula of e2VC, Hasan Emre Özgür of Netmera, and Fahri Kaan Toker from Allianz Turkey. They explored the entrepreneurial landscape within the insurance sector, sharing valuable knowledge and experiences.
Highlighted Start-ups at HackZone 5th Term Demo Day
- Alon Health: Specializes in biometric data security and integration, offering services through a B2B annual licensing model.
- Branchsight: A digital marketing platform that enhances the visibility of multi-location brands, boosting physical visits through targeted regional digital advertisements.
- Ingosa: This platform revolutionizes digital advertising with generative AI and speech-based technologies, offering interactive ads and secure first-party data collection, actively expanding in global markets.
- Prowth: Provides a customer analytics and marketing strategy platform, helping CRM teams utilize data effectively without coding, with detailed campaign performance tracking.
- Text2Test: Converts natural language scenarios into executable tests for QA, supporting web and mobile applications, enabling non-technical teams to engage in test automation.
- Werover: Offers AI-based wind turbine blade health monitoring, facilitating early damage detection, with its technology implemented on over 400 turbines across Europe, backed by significant investment.
